Renee Boucher Ferguson

Several giant software developers are bringing out new packaged applications designed to free companies from the chore of cobbling together business-to-business private trading networks from scratch. But while the goal of providing faster, easier deployment of closed networks for sharing design and transaction data with trading partners is welcomed, the packaged software in many cases […]

OpenAir Inc. this week will round out its namesake professional services automation suite with a knowledge management module. The Workspaces module provides integrated applications that allow users to structure virtual workspaces around projects, processes or ideas. The module augments the Boston developers PSA software, which allows companies to automate steps in locating and hiring services […]

MapicsInc. and Datasweep Inc. are tuning their supply chain management offerings to help manufacturers reduce the time it takes to develop products, build them and get them out the door. Mapics this week will roll out Version 6.0 of its SCM solution, which offers supplier and customer collaboration components designed for quick and efficient deployment. […]

Some business-to-business exchanges are turning to a tried-and-true method to pump up their bottom lines—theyre selling packaged software. MaterialNet Inc. this week joins VerticalNet Inc. and FreeMarkets Inc. among the ranks of online marketplace providers looking to package their sourcing and e-procurement expertise as software. Metals exchange MaterialNet this week will make available a new […]

Level 8 Systems Inc. and Attunity Ltd. are targeting software upgrades and new services at companies focused on gaining competitive advantage by integrating their existing applications instead of buying new ones. Level 8, which earlier this month announced it is divesting itself of its Geneva AppBuilder software division to focus on EAI (enterprise application integration), […]

Need2Buy Inc. and Entomo Inc. have each developed software to help manufacturers and their materials suppliers better collaborate and communicate electronically. Need2Buy, an online marketplace for the electronics industry, used i2 Technology Inc.s Infinite Content database to develop a proprietary content normalization tool that allows manufacturers and suppliers to standardize product names and part numbers. […]

A series of add-ons to Microsoft Corp.s BizTalk Server business-to-business integration software will make it easier and cheaper for companies to connect some business processes with their trading partners. But enterprises should not expect the kind of robust application integration that established middleware vendors can offer. The BizTalk Accelerator series, which will begin shipping this […]

Analysis of business processes and management of those processes today are done with different sets of software. With an upcoming version of its business process analysis platform, ProActivity Inc. is looking to the day when those distinctions are not made. ProActivity 4.0, due this fall, will provide four major areas of enhancement that officials said […]

An upgrade to Entigo Corp.s Reality sell-side e-business software looks to make it easier for global manufacturing companies to implement sell-side private exchanges, as well as market and sell their products through channel partners, company officials said. Entigo Reality 2.5, which will be announced this week, lets manufacturers and their channel partners manage the marketing, […]

Need2Buy Inc. has taken the expertise it garnered running its own public e-marketplace and turned it into an option that enables electronics manufacturers to set up Web-based private trading networks. The Westlake Village, Calif., company, which opened its namesake online marketplace for the electronics industry in 1999, last week announced its Private Trading Network, which […]