Michael Caton

Incentive Systems Inc.s Centive Compel hosted application gives companies a way to manage their incentive-based sales compensation—without a six-figure investment in an incentive compensation management solution. eWEEK Labs tests show Compel, priced starting at $70 per user per month, provides a good set of tools for managing sales plans, putting only the necessary tools in […]

With the holidays in full swing, I thought Id mention a few gifts Id like to see from the vendor Santa Claus to make 2006 a little better. Tops on my list is a focus on providing solutions rather than technology. Without products, solutions cant happen, but Id like to see more common solutions in […]

Many of the enterprise applications released this year were notable for their productivity-enhancing features—brought to fruition in large part by vendors focus on design efficiencies. Web-based application developers have used AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) to improve client-side performance and create useful interface shortcuts since 2000, but this year saw the breadth and scope of […]

A major change since SQL Server 2000 is the introduction of the free Express version of SQL Server 2005, designed for smaller-size database applications and to spur developer interest. Oracle recently introduced a beta of its own free offering, the forthcoming Oracle Database 10g Express Edition. In addition to spurring developer interest, the free version […]

Microsoft Corp.s long-awaited SQL Server 2005 represents significant change for administrators—the database server includes several new features that add capability and improve performance, but they increase complexity as well. Click here to read the full review of SQL Server 2005. 2 Microsoft Corp.s long-awaited SQL Server 2005 represents significant change for administrators—the database server includes […]

With GroupWise 7.0, Novell Inc. has simplified information management for users, maintaining GroupWises excellent pedigree as an enterprise-class messaging and collaboration application. Click here to read the full review of GroupWise 7.0. 2 With GroupWise 7.0, Novell Inc. has simplified information management for users, maintaining GroupWises excellent pedigree as an enterprise-class messaging and collaboration application. […]

Providing good customer support is one of those things that is so difficult to do, yet so essential to controlling costs, that its no surprise companies almost universally do a poor job. Most support organizations feel the pressure to keep customer interactions to a minimum to keep costs down, but at the same time, to […]

In the latest release of its namesake database application, FileMaker Inc. has included improvements that make it easier for end users to work with and share data. Click here to read the full review of FileMaker Pro 8. 2 In the latest release of its namesake database application, FileMaker Inc. has included improvements that make […]

Instant messaging has a long way to go before it becomes a business tool thats as effective and pervasive as e-mail. However, federation, and the products that support it, are opening up IM for broader interoperability. To test how easy it is to join—or federate—two IM networks, eWEEK Labs recently tested three enterprise IM platforms: […]

Companies looking for an instant messaging system that allows communication with users outside the enterprise will find good solutions in Antepo Inc.s Open Presence Network System XT server application and Jabber Inc.s JabberNow appliance. Antepos OPN System XT, which shipped in August, gives companies an excellent alternative to better-known enterprise IM platforms. At $30 per […]