TCO (Total Cost Ownership) is the buzzword in today’s business world. This metric helps enterprise managers assess direct and indirect costs and benefits derived from their investment on IT components and services. A vital component of overall TCO is database management. All information-centric applications need databases for data storage. Also, the storage demands of small and mid-sized companies are growing rapidly, as more emphasis is given on data backup and long-term archival of data disaster recovery.

Embedded databases have arrived in this scenario as a major cost-cutting tool. They help organizations in managing the growing storage requirements by providing a cost-effective and reliable solution for data backup, file storage and archiving, thereby assuring a lower cost of ownership for small to medium sized business organizations.

The remainder of this article will focus on the database server that I am most familiar with (Daffodil DB) and how it helps in the reduction of TCO. Though the example has some nuances specific to Daffodil DB, I am sure that readers will be able to extrapolate the theme to better understand the role of a database in TCO reduction.

Let’s begin with Development and Deployment Costs. Gone are the days when applications had to be tested extensively for all underlying platforms. Now, one can shrink the cost and time required to develop and setup solutions on multiple platforms by using a Java database. A separate deployment for different platform implementations of a large application is a major expense that an enterprise can do without.

Administration Costs are a major concern for many-a-company. Logically, database administration costs are a significant component of TCO. When embedded with an application, a compact Java database can be made practically invisible to the user, since it (the database) requires no administration and runs on the same Java virtual machine (JVM) as does the application. Its simple performance tuning process helps in optimizing database performance and vastly reduces database administration costs.

Now let’s move on to Compatibility Cost. Java databases, being platform independent, are compatible with all operating systems and application servers. This feature helps developers in choosing their own range of effective and economical solutions. For example, with Daffodil DB the developer can use Open Source tools like JBOSS application server for reducing overall TCO.

Last, but certainly not the least, let’s get to Licensing Costs. Pardon me if I seem to evangelize Daffodil DB, but that’s one area where I can ‘preach’ with confidence. As Daffodil DB can be used / embedded with a wide array of applications, flexible licensing policies have been developed to accommodate the diverse needs of the development community without restricting the same to just one standard license. Each application development organization may pick the right combination of licenses that best meets its needs. The organizations may also acquire additional licenses or upgrade their licenses. Do I hear someone shout ‘What about Open Source?’

This article has been contributed by (Mr.) Parveen Aggarwal, Technical Consultant to DSL India. With more than 6 years of industry experience in Java and allied technologies, he has an in-depth understanding of J2EE, J2ME and database management systems. Parveen is currently working on the concept of data-archiving in embedded databases. He can be contacted at parveenaggarwal@hotmail.com

Fortunately for the Mac users, the Adware and Spyware industry is still, as of 2005, heavily focused on the PC users. Adware and Spyware developers are particularly found of targeting PC users through DILLs and ActiveX controls, and can therefore only attack computers running Windows. This does not mean that Mac users are completely blessed from Spyware and Adware. There are several Spyware and Adware software capable of infesting Mac, and every Mac user should take a look at the Adware and Spyware removal programs available for mac. In 2005, Symantec caused a lot of hullabaloo in the Macintosh community when they warned the mac users about how the OS X operating system was rapidly becoming a target for virus developers and hackers. Symantec cautioned computer users not to relay on their mac alone to safe guard them from spyware infestations. You can no longer assume that you mac is immune from viruses and spyware. The need for free mac spyware removal programs available online is growing rapidly and we will hopefully see a lot of new free mac spyware removal programs on the Internet soon. Since Spyware is still a smaller problem for mac users, the number of available free mac spyware removal programs is currently much smaller than the number of free Spyware removal programs for PC.

When you choose among the available free mac spyware removal programs you should preferably pick one that is capable of scanning and removing both spyware and adware from your mac. A high-quality free mac spyware removal program will also be able to alert you every time an attempt to install spyware or adware on your mac is made. You should also ideally have the option to set the free mac spyware removal program to automatically block all such attempts without bothering you. Some of the free mac spyware removal programs will also protect your mac from several types of remote administration type applications. For maximal protection, you should combine your free mac spyware removal program with a good personal Firewall.

A new Spyware program designed to attack mac computers would probably spread rather slowly, since only around three per cent of systems in use today are using Mac OS. If a mac infected with spyware, or any other type of Malware, tries to spread the malicious software to a new computer, it will find a non-mac computer in 97 percent of the time. What everyone fears is therefore a hybrid Spyware capable of infecting Mac OS as well as Microsoft Windows. If, or rather when, such a hybrid is created it can spread very rapidly. Since many mac users still believe that their mac is immune to virus and spyware attacks, a lot of mac computers will become infected. All mac users are therefore recommended to take advantage of the available free mac spyware removal programs as soon as possible. One such program is available at http://macscan.securemac.com/ .When you have installed your free mac spyware removal program, it is also important that you perform regular updates to make sure that you are protected from new types of spyware. Preferably choose a free mac spyware removal program that you can set to automatically search for updates and download them as soon as they are available. Check the fine print when you choose your free mac spyware removal program. A free mac spyware removal program where the regular updates cost a lot of money will soon turn out to be a very expensive “free” program. Some free mac spyware removal programs do not allow you to get updates, or will limit the number of updates, until you have bought a non-free version of the free mac spyware removal program.

New forms of malicious Spyware and Adware are constantly created and in order to protect your computer from infestations you must choose a high-quality program and keep it updated. Supportcave.com offer a selected number of the very best Free mac spyware removal programs available for immediate online download

The current economy means that it is easiest to boost profits by reducing overhead, not a growth of income. An often omitted asset in this is performance management software and all of its benefits.

It’s common knowledge that an efficient company adjusts its systems to the specialties of each employee to get the best out of them. Pinpointing and making this information ready to use is often where things can become tough.

To take one part of this - staff performance- determining their progress and keeping track of it is a huge hassle. First of all, you set up employee performance appraisal techniques to evaluate and track the work done by each worker. Should you be using conventional approaches, the next move will be the manual assessment of the vast amount of raw data points you will have gathered just to be able to study future development and define goals.

Using performance management software, you can just look at the various metrics to determine the ideal goals and then chart the member of staff’s progress. This removes the need to spend time on analysis and may even be far more useful. Should you choose to it’s possible instead to make your own assessment, merely using the software to generate and maintain a record to work from. I’m sure I don’t need to say, it’s not employee effieciency alone that can benefit from use of performance appraisal software. You can also use the software to study your suppliers & clients. You can find out which suppliers stock products with the best quality, for the best prices as well as distinguish those with high loss rates or slow delivery times. Clients have their own measurements to be scrutinized, and once again this information can be used to streamline your business practices and benefit your bank balance. Using this information you can customize your ordering and selling habits to increase income and reduce costs. This information will allow you to determine a priority demographic. With this demographic in mind advertising and other marketing becomes more effective and less difficult to plan.

Keeping an eye on both market and sources is smooth sailing with performance management software. It also streamlines the process of managing employee performance and helps set realistic goals for your workers. The sky honestly can be the limit with performance management software backing you up.

A lot goes into the right choice of storage system for Exchange Server 2007 deployment. The Exchange Server is compatible with three primary types of system: DAS, iSCSI and SAN protocol. Each system has benefits and setbacks in terms of storage management.

Microsoft has a number of tools that are designed to help users identify their storage concerns and to quantify these requirements. Identifying your use of storage before opting for a particular system can save you a lot of time and money.
DAS has been widely used for decades. It is a common choice among small and medium-scale businesses. It is also increasingly popular among enterprises as well. But if you’re looking to opt for DAS when it comes to your Exchange environment, you might want to look into the many RAID array options as well as the use of multiple disks.

SANs are scalable and dependable for centralized data storage resources. They operate through independent networks and mostly use Fibre Channel based connection sin order to communicate between connected managed hosting and disks. However, they are more complicated and relatively more expensive. The software for SANs is usually packaged separately from the hardware but DAS features a range of utilities.

Finally there is the iSCSI. This is a storage protocol that can connect to a network device and move storage related data. Clients are able to send SCSI commants to consolidated and remote storage targets as efficiently as they would with a locally attached disk. These devices are also less expensive than FCs but you will still need dedicated cables and hardware.you should have at least a dedicated virtual LAN if you’re going to use this server environment.

There’s more involved in making a profit than income alone - you need to be making money as effectively as possible given your outgoings. With this in mind, let us turn to the many benefits of that great secret of efficient companies, employee performance management software.

Once you know the abilities of your members of staff are, it’s possible to tailor your systems to maximize their effectiveness, and thereby get the most from the business as a whole. Learning about and tracking this data is often where things become challenging, though. Defining and tracking development through employee appraisal on its own can turn into a significant hassle. First of all, you implement employee appraisal systems to assess and keep track of all work performed by each worker. If this was done with traditional methods, you now have to analyze all of this information manually simply to set objectives, goals, and measure further advancement. With performance management software, you just look at the various metrics to pinpoint the ideal targets and subsequently follow the employee’s development. By doing this you remove a major time commitment and probably also receive more precise information as an added bonus. It is of course possible just to use the software to track raw information like performance review forms and to analyze these items yourself.

Not only that, but improving the efficiency of your staff is merely one thing you can do using performance appraisal software. It’s also worth studying suppliers and clients to be better able to pace your ordering and conserve money. For example, when looking at suppliers you can demonstrate the weaknesses like slow delivery times, bad damage records, and so forth. When it comes to affilates the software can help there telling you exactly who your best seller is, their loss percentage and any similar negatives, and serving as a reminder of outstanding payments. Then, you can adjust your ordering and move products around to increase your income while cutting expenses. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of that? To add to this, it’ll be easier to plan marketing campaigns because you’ll have a deeper insight into your market and the location of your biggest audience. Analyzing both market and suppliers is simple with performance management software. In tandem with regular talent assessment and employee reviews such tool will certainly help enhance staff performance management extremely. All in all, the potential benefits of this system are endless and depend solely on your own creativity and ability to use the information at your disposal.

Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is marketed for mid-size companies as well as Navision (which has very good positions in Europe and emerging markets where it can be easily localized).

Great Plains Payables Management (PM) module improves control over your payables. With easy access to comprehensive vendor information, payment scheduling and tracking, and up-to-the minute answer to your cash flow status, this module allows you to manage your expenses more effectively.

PM maximizes operational efficiency by empowering employees with advanced search capabilities that provide quick and easy access to the information they need. This module also simplifies expense allocation like deferring payments or costs over multiple periods with automatically managed calculations and journal entries customized to fit your business needs.

Features:

• Extensive Drill-Down - Cross-module drill-down capabilities give you the ability to locate the exact details you need.

• Comprehensive Vendor Information - Streamline your vendor information with vendor categories for consistent record maintenance and comprehensive data, including addresses, shipping methods, default purchase accounts, and user-defined information.

• Installment Management - Automate your vendor installment payments by creating schedules, calculating interest, amortizing amounts, and forecasting the impact of variable interest rates, payment amounts, and installment changes.

• Expenditure Control - Manage expenditures with full control over check runs and tracking of after-the-fact payments that use manual check entries, credit cards, or cash for transactions.

• Control Account Management - Manage your payables control accounts by reporting segments, such as cost center, division, department, program or fund, and display a breakdown by segment values of your central control payables account. Eliminate the need to manually reconcile reporting segments and get a true account of amounts owing by segment value.

• Automatic Posting - Automate posting for each vendor to designated General Ledger accounts for recurring transactions, or streamline distribution for vendors without specified purchase accounts.

• Complete Payables Reporting - Create a comprehensive suite of payable reports that can be sorted by calendar or fiscal year with on-screen display and search, or combine with Microsoft® Business Solutions-Great Plains® applications such as Report Writer or Crystal Reports® for greater reporting flexibility.

Good luck with implementation, customization and integration and if you have issues or concerns - we are here to help! If you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-630-961-5918 or 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

Vincent is a Great Plains specialist in Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ) - USA nationwide Great Plains, Microsoft CRM customization company, serving clients in Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Miami, New Orleans, Toronto, Montreal and having locations in multiple states and internationally

For Multinational corporation MRP selection is typically complicated by the following:

• Country Specific Taxation. Including regional and municipal taxes in the foreign country

• Government Fiscal Reporting. It is normal to think that in the foreign country bureaucracy and filing rules are the same, however you should not be surprised to see certain or substantial differences

• Foreign Language. When multinational corporation penetrates to the local market - it should keep ERP transparent and somehow offset the “language and cultural” problems

Microsoft Dynamics project - or formerly referred as Project Green should unify and modulate all Microsoft Business Solutions ERP applications: Microsoft Great Plains/Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Navision (former Attain) Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft (Navision) Axapta/Microsoft Dynamics AX. The challenge of unification probably will result in quality change for the unified interface, such as Web/Business portal/Microsoft Outlook & MS Office integration, Deployment of new technologies, such as Microsoft Sharepoint with workflow automation. Plus the development platform for Microsoft Dynamics products should shift from proprietary tools, such as Microsoft Dexterity, C/SIDE, MorphX (no confirmation for Axapta yet - but we guess it should follow) to C# and VB.Net with VisualStudio. In this small article we will try to orient IT managers in Microsoft Business Solutions MRP products selection for international and regional markets.

• Microsoft Dynamics AX. Microsoft Axapta, opposite to Navision or Great Plains where market shares are gained/divided and competition is based on renovations and product improvements, Axapta has great potential yet to be deployed, coming from its modern and very futuristic system design and architecture. Being targeted to upper mid-market and corporate clients Axapta shows very good progress on emerging markets: in Russia for example the number of Axapta installation is similar and comparable with the number of Navision installations. Plus, in 2005 large number of Microsoft Business Solutions gold certified partners rushed into Axapta consulting arena - this is seen in the USA, UK, Australia and continental Europe. In Brazil currently MBS in local Portuguese Axapta launching mode - localized for Brazilian tax code

• Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Is planned as front CRM solution for the majority of Microsoft Dynamics ERP system: integration with Microsoft Dynamics GP is available for GP 7.5, 8.0, 9.0 and CRM 1.2 and 3.0, Microsoft Navision - through third party integrations, Axapta integration is planned. Microsoft has Microsoft CRM as worldwide product, so you should not have any doubts regarding your regional market.

• Microsoft Dynamics GP. The regional markets for Great Plains 9.0 and following Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 version will narrow: United States, United Kingdom, Canada: both English and French speaking, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other English speaking countries in Asia, Africa and Worldwide, plus Spanish Speaking Latin America. Microsoft Dynamics GP 10 will not be available for Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland - the last version localized for these European countries will be 9.0 - June 2006

• Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Currently Navision has very good presence in Europe, including East Europe: Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia. Microsoft also localized Navision for new markets, where it just moved in: Brazil for example - it was interesting development in Brazil - first Microsoft probed Solomon, then Microsoft Great Plains 7.5 and in 2004 replaced it with localized Navision

• Competition. Oracle is on the way with Oracle Fusion project, aiming on Oracle Financials/Applications/E-Business Suite, PeopleSoft, JDEdwards and potentially Siebel integration. SAP with the purchase of new mid and small market ERP: SAP Business One and Mendocino - for SAP R/3 is catching up

Please do not hesitate to call or email us: USA/Canada: 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918, Europe: +44 20 8123 2580, +45 36 96 55 20, Mexico: 52-55-535-04027 help@albaspectrum.com

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer at Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com http://www.ronix-systems.de http://www.enterlogix.com.br ) - Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, Navision, Axapta MS CRM, Oracle Financials and IBM Lotus Domino Partner, serving corporate customers in the following industries: Aerospace & Defense, Medical & Healthcare, Distribution & Logistics, Hospitality, Banking & Finance, Wholesale & Retail, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Placement & Recruiting, Advertising & Publishing, Textile, Pharmaceutical, Non-Profit, Beverages, Conglomerates, Apparels, Durables, Manufacturing and having locations in multiple states and internationally.
We are serving USA Nationwide: CA, IL, NY, FL, AZ, CO, TX, WI, WA, MI, MA, MO, LA, NM, MN, Europe: Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, Russia, Middle East (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, OAE, Bahrain), Asia: China, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, South & Central America: Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Chili, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico

Homeland security, airport security, Internet security ” these
days were literally inundated with a need to protect ourselves
and our property from the non-stop bombardment of potentially
damaging attacks by unknown sources and entities lurking
somewhere out there.

This is the reality of the world in which we live today. We cant
just lock ourselves up in our homes and wish the problems away.
Life must go on. What weve got to do is fight back. And we have
to protect ourselves the best way that we can.

Fortunately, security is big business these days. There really is
no end to the security options that are available on the free
market. And when it comes to protecting your computer system,
your options are limited only by the balance in your checking
account.

So much of our non-sleep time is spent on the computer. Think about
your own situation. If youre running a small business,
especially when youre just starting out, the PC often is your
only other partner in the office. You entrust this partner with
every crucial component of your business ” your accounting, your
inventory, your CRM, your communication, your vital documents,
your sales and marketing information, your project management,
even your on-line store.

Youre handing off quite a lot of responsibility to this partner.
Granted, its a machine, and its got the internal capacity to
handle such an enormous responsibility. But even the most
powerful of personal computers is vulnerable if its not given
the protection it needs to survive in this world of never-ending
assault.

Viruses, hackers, SPAM, pop-ups, Trojans and more are out there
lurking, waiting to bring each and every unprotected computer
system to its knees.

And you might not realize this, but there are programs out there
that can log your keystrokes. Dont understand the implications
of this? Well, every time you enter your login name, your
passwords, your credit card numbers, loggers capture and store
the keystroke sequence. If you ever find unauthorized
transactions on your credit cards, your account numbers might
very well have been stolen by someone using a keystroke logger.

Have you provided your business partner with the protection it
needs to withstand this type of daily attack? You better hope
your answer is yes. Otherwise, youre playing a dangerous game of
Russian Roulette.

A good Internet security system will keep your business and
personal data safe. It will thwart viruses before they have an
opportunity to wreak havoc on your computers. It will guard
against unauthorized users, a.k.a. hackers and phishers ” those
whose sole purpose is to steal your identity. It will be able to
recognize and filter out SPAM. And those annoying pop-up ads?
Theyll be blocked before they even have a chance to rear their
ugly heads.

When you need even more protection, its available, too. Encrypt
your instant messages and keep Instant Messaging spam, or SPIM,
at bay. Internet security software can also provide you will a
listing of all web contacts, inbound as well as outbound, and
will notify you of instances of unauthorized access. Plus, it can
filter e-mail scripts and perform other tasks to help your
computer system hide from Internet scanners.

So, if youve not done so already, its time you purchase an
Internet security suite for your computer system. Register it so
that you get updates the moment they are available. But dont get
too comfortable. Remember, even the most advanced Internet
security suite can only guard against known enemies. And new ways
of assaulting your computer are being conceived every day. And
thats the reality of the world in which we live.

Copyright © 2005 Cavyl Stewart. Get more software tips, strategies and recommendations by signing up for my Exclusive 100% free, 100% original content ecourses. Visit: http://www.find-small-business-software.com/free-ecourses.php

In the beginning of 21st century we can recognize the trend in international business. Multinational corporations are moving their manufacturing facilities and sales operations to Brazil. Typical scenario - regional office is established in Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro and manufacturing facility in Salvador, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, Recife, Manaus, etc. The first step in establishing controllable operations is ERP system implementation - this formalizes the chain of command, decision making and management. In this small article we will give you Brazilian ERP market review for midsize and large business. We will compare Microsoft Business Solutions, Oracle, SAP as well as local ERP vendors: Microsiga and RM. Let’s come to the topic:

• Local versus International brand. We do not pretend to be the judge, just pluses and minuses. Local brand ERP has local market experience, tax, typical chart of accounts, payroll specifics implemented. They are probably very competitive if you are Brazilian business. However if you represent multinational company or corporation - you should think about users experience for your international management team, IT centralized support and things like these.

• SAP. If you are committed to SAP solution - SAP Business One is probably the system of choice - it has transactions integration to SAP, CRM, MRP/Production, POP, SOP, HR, Multilanguage, multicurrency. SAP Business One is just localized for Brazilian ERP market, especially we should mention localized tax engine. SAP tested its localization with 7 pilot implementation in 2005. You should be looking for SAP Business One customization partner (who is licensed to develop customizations and integration in SAP Business One SDK). SAP Business One sits in Microsoft SQL Server and is written in C++ - it also has integration with MS Office on the level of COM objects

• Oracle. Oracle E-Business Suite, also known as Oracle Financials (as part of Oracle E-Business Suite) and Oracle Applications is natural choice if your Headquarters in Europe, USA, Australia or elsewhere is committed to Oracle platform. Oracle has long time presence in Brazil and is very good choice.

• Microsoft Business Solutions Navision & Axapta. Microsoft is currently on the way of merging/integrating its applications - this is known as Project Green, in September 2005 new marketing name was introduced- Microsoft Dynamics. Respectively Microsoft Navision and Axapta became Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Microsoft Dynamics AX. More traditional solution for Brazilian market is Navision. It has very strong position in both Europe (where it is recommended by Microsoft in all the countries, except UK - where both Navision and Great Plains are in use) and USA- especially in manufacturing sector. Axapta, however is newer and respectively its design should be more geared toward new technological trends. Axapta should be released for Brazilian market in 2006

You can always appeal to our help and expertise - in our Sao Paulo office we have all these systems expertise, plus Microsoft CRM, MS Great Plains, Lotus Notes Domino. Please give as a call So Paulo 55-11-3826-3449, USA 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918! help@albaspectrum.com

Andrew is Great Plains specialist in Alba Spectrum Technologies (http://www.albaspectrum.com) - Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Great Plains, Navision, Axapta, Microsoft CRM Partner, serving clients in So Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, Recife, Manaus, Lisboa, Coimbra, Porto, Cascais and having locations in multiple states and internationally.

Travel agencies rely on online reservation software to handle large volume bookings for large events such as conferences, sporting events, concerts and political conventions. Previously, participants registered for the event and made separate travel arrangements. For simplicity and higher profits, event organizers prefer online reservation software to register participants and book airfare, hotels and tours, etc.

Event Registration - Online Reservation Software

Today, most event registration is handled on line by people entering their details online to sign up for the event and choose seminars. The travel and hotels end of the booking is handled by online reservation software for hassle free booking arrangements. For event managers, online reservation software cuts costs and reduces the number of personnel needed to run the event. The user friendly online reservation software provides powerful features that may be customized for schedule changes of the event in minutes.

Backup Registration - Online Reservation Software

An important aspect of online reservation software is data security and back ups in case of system failure. With each registration, the participant’s data is stored in the main system leaving the event planner free to handle more customers. The system provides online reporting and downloads for accounting and cost accounting.

Enterprise Solution - Online Reservation Software

Conference booking is a very competitive field as travel companies often compete for the same contracts to book such large events. Most leading online reservation software providers offer an enterprise solution for online event bookings that are tailor made to the type of event, travel, hotels, dining and touring offered by the event planners.

Event Bookings Benefits - Online Reservation Software

Among the benefits of online reservation software for event planners are lower phone bills, better service, more hotel upgrades and fewer mistakes. The online reservation software enables participants to make changes in their event package such as to change travel dates, cancel bookings, request additional services and make special requests.

Galor is a leading provider of online reservation software for travel companies in the highly competitive travel market. For more information about online reservation software, please visit Galor Systems & Software Development.