2 books: Second Wave Enterprise Resource Planning Systems & Business Owner’s Legal Guide
Second Wave Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
Edited by Graeme Shanks, Peter B. Seddon, Leslie P. Willcocks Cambridge University Press ISBN: 0521819024 468 pages $55.00
Enterprise-wide software systems rank right behind the internet as the most important information technologies to emerge in the last two decades. Companies that have invest heavily in enterprise software such as SAP,
Oracle, PeopleSoft, Siebel, and i2 Corporation do so to gain better access to information help them make informed decisions. The difficulty for the licensee is which product to choose, and how to integrate the right programs for the requisite needs.
This book gives an overview of some of the very difficult decisions facing anyone who is using, or looking to implement, software for ERP. It is both an excellent resource for those involved in planning, and for senior management of those firms looking to build or buy ERP software.
Since enterprises spend around $100 billion per annum on these systems, did they get what they wanted, or should they have gone to a custom system? The conclusion is that most organizations can use the canned programs, but even the purchased systems require customization. Other enterprises, whose needs are so specialized as to preclude stock systems, recommend either using the canned ESS for divisions and using a custom platform for integration, or building from scratch.
Business Owner’s Legal Guide
Kevin Johnson, Esq. Knowles Publishing ISBN: 1-932498-11-7
The object of a business law reference is to have the small business owner understand the fundamentals without counsel. We have looked at many business law references in the past, but have not reviewed them because they were written way above most business owner’s ability to understand.
This loose-leaf binder contains laws, rules, and regulations directed at the small business owner. It has the detail needed to support what is said, but is written in such a way that all who read it can understand what the author is trying to convey. It covers the different type of entities, contracts – many different forms of contracts – what to expect in litigation, and the pains of grown and downsizing. The guide is worth room on the shelf to lean on, or to educate the business owner on the basics, so they can know the questions to ask, and gauge the quality of the answers.