Finally a rationale discussion of Cloud Computing

Through attending a webinar hosted by Safari Books Online from author, David Linthicum, titled “Cloud Computing and SOA Convergence in Your Enterprise,” we find that most of the Cloud Computing discussions take on the overtones of the Mac vs PC debate. Those who are in favor of Cloud Computing and Software as a Service view it as the answer to all problems and anyone who disagrees with them is a luddite or worse. Those who are against Cloud Computing point to any failure as a reason why the whole movement is flawed. As consultants who advise clients on the topic, we have been searching for a more rational discussion of the pros and cons.

David Linthicum presented several valuable slides in the webinar. The first slide that was useful listed seven criteria to be used to determine when Cloud Computing is a fit. Those criteria were:

• When process, applications and data are largely independent
• When points of integration are well defined
• When a lower level of security is fine
• When the core internal architecture is healthy
• When the web is the desired platform
• When cost is an issue
• When the applications are new

The next slide listed the criteria for determining when Cloud Computing isn’t a fit. Those criteria were:

• When process, applications and data are interdependent
• When points of integration are poorly defined
• When a high level of security is needed
• When the core internal architecture needs work
• When the application requires a native interface
• When cost is an issue
• When the applications is legacy

David also provided a 17 step process for implementing a cloud computing initiative.

We have found this to be one of the few objective and balanced assessments of Cloud Computing and recommend that you read his blogs and book. His book is available on Amazon and he has a blog at http://davidlinthicum.sys-con.com/

Translating Strategy into Action

This webinar presented by Jeff Greenberg, CEO at Ergility Smart Process Solutions, on July 29, 2009 at 2:00pm EST, will discuss both how a strategy guides operations and how an incomplete strategy misguides operations. It will also cover developing an operational strategy, setting strategic priorities, and embedding strategy into EVERY operation and task.

To learn more about this free webinar, go to http://www.software4distributors.com/sage/julywebinar/template_ergility.html.

"Hands Off" - Keys to Reducing Inefficiencies to Improve Profits

Battered by consistent reports of bad economic news? Winning distributors and manufacturers are seizing opportunity in the downturn by optimizing operating processes and investing in their business as others cut back, expanding while their competitors shrink.

In this educational Webcast, sponsored by Microsoft Dynamics and Industrial Distribution Magazine, learn some ways distributors are gaining traction in tough times while preparing for the eventual upswing. Join industry experts for this Webinar and learn:

* How optimizing the "front office" pays dividends for the entire business
* How reducing reliance on paper orders & manual reviews saves costs
* How a "No Touch" business environment can benefit your business
* How "role-based" systems are helping to maximize employee time
* How one small distributor increased profitability without hiring more labor

To view, visit: http://www.software4distributors.com/media/video/microsoft/Microsoft%20Webinar%20-%20Hands%20Off.html

Increasing Profitability Through Waste Elimination in Food Manufacturing and Distribution Operations

Food and Beverage manufacturers and distributors face complex challenges that few outside the industry appreciate – inconsistent raw materials, quickly changing demand patterns, and intense regulatory compliance just to name a few. And while you’re meeting all of those challenges, you still have to produce and deliver top-quality products.

On March 11, 2009 at 2:00pm EST, Evan Garber and Jeff Greenberg will be speaking in the webinar, Increasing Profitability Through Waste Elimination in Food Manufacturing and Distribution Operations. During the webinar, you will learn the five common types of waste, how to identify waste, tips and tricks for eliminating waste, and what tools to use to track and measure your results.

To learn more about this free webinar, go to www.software4distributors.com/sage/email_marketing/template.html

What is the Global Food Safety Initiative and how does it affect food producers like me and retailers like Wal-mart?

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a collaborative effort by manufacturers and retailers to provide a uniform food safety management system that streamlines the certification process for complying with regulatory requirements while reducing the cost of doing so.

The effort to create a global system of compliance has been underway in Europe for several years. In the US, Wal-mart announced in February, 2008 that all food suppliers will have to have their factories certified against one of the GFSI standards.

With Wal-marts’ high-visibility adoption, it is expected that this standard in the US will be required by other food retailers. This is likely to accelerate the effort of retailers, distributors and suppliers to harmonize food safety standards.

Under the current standards environment there are many certification bodies and thus, many different audit checklists that a supplier must comply with. This is expensive and time-consuming for suppliers to comply with. The GFSI provides for a uniform group of standards that all certifying bodies comply with and thus only a single audit will be needed to achieve the certification.

The Safe Quality Food Institute administers the program in the US and is responsible for managing the many components of this process. They publish the codes, train and license the SQF consultants and auditors, maintain the centralized database of certification and compliance records and provide on-going training.

This initiative has many components to it and companies that participate in the Food Supply Chain need to understand the process so that they can comply with process and reduce their compliance costs. Gary Smith, Technical Director of the SQF Institute will be conducting a free webinar to introduce the GFSI and answer questions on December 3, 2008. To learn more go to http://www.software4distributors.com/sage/registration.html.