Archive for July, 2008

Buying enterprise software can be a painstaking exercise. One of the toughest tasks is developing a comprehensive list of functions your new software must support.

With Technology Evaluation Center (TEC), you can be covered.

TEC’s RFP templates give you the most complete lists of software features and functions you’ll find anywhere for over 20 different kinds of software, including ERP, CRM, SCM, accounting, RFID, BI, and HR. Each template lists hundreds and most list thousands of features and functions, divided into the main areas of the software’s functionality.

What’s more, since TEC RFP templates come in Excel spreadsheet format, you can easily cut and paste them to create your own custom functional requirements list(s). Then it’s a simple matter of sending your requirements list(s) to the vendors you’re interested in, and having them indicate, right on the same spreadsheet, how well or poorly they support each and every function.

It’s easy, it saves you time and money, and it prevents any important functional requirements from slipping through the cracks.

To view a sample and to find out more about how TEC RFP templates make software evaluation a much easier process, follow this link to TEC’s RFP template web site.

Having trouble with the Outlook’s 2GB pst file limitation? According to Outlookpower Answer Team

Microsoft has a 2GB size limit on the Outlook personal folders (.pst) and offline folders (.ost) file types [for Outlook versions prior to Outlook 2003]. Once the folder size reaches or goes beyond that size limit the file will not be useable even if you delete items.

Apparently with this limitation, many are finding older versions of Outlook to be really troublesome when the limit has reached. If you’re seeking for an alternative to Microsoft Outlook, check out the recently lauched Yahoo! Zimbra Desktop.

Some cool features:

• It’s FREE with no missing features or catches
• Incorporate all accounts in one place. Zimbra Mail, Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, AOL, Outlook or any other work or personal email account using POP or IMAP
• You need not connect to the internet to read your mails. It’s a standalone installation just like any other desktop software.
• On modern Web 2.0 Ajax technology

Some disadvantages of Yahoo Zimbra Desktop:

• Still in beta version so no support available.
• Not recommended to run this beta version in production environment.
• This free version does not have a pst importer.

For those wanting to import your outlook pst into this free version, you can try to upload all your e-mail & folders via imap, export your calendar to ics, and contacts to csv and then import them into Zimbra Desktop.

I think this software is really a neat alternative to read your mails, manage calendars, contacts, document, tasks, briefcase. There’s no other free software which is able to go head to head with Microsoft Outlook. So head on over to Yahoo! Zimbra Desktop to download a copy today.

Does your organization have SAP processes which require enhancements?

GuiXT is able to simplify your SAP user interface without Java or ABAP programming.

Standard features of GuiXT includes:

• Integrates with NetWeaver
• Supports Enterprise Portals
• Change SAP screens with No ABAP, No Java. No programming skills required
• Edit and combine SAP screens and transactions
• Create new and simplified transactions
• Web enabled, access simplified optimized UI through the browser. Includes iPhone support
• Create ‘offline’ transactions that works without SAP WAS and use them in areas without WiFi
• Zero footprint
• Access SAP through Mobile CE devices
• Create and maintain scripts. WYSIWYG interface, syntax checks and static analysis of scripts. Identifies precisely which line a variable is set or used.

Key customers using GuiXT:

• Shell
• Nike
• Canada Post

To get started with GuiXT, simply head over to GuiXT’s site where they have specified simple steps to start implementing their solution. You can also download a 30 day free trial to test and evaluate the software.

My two cents

I feel that SAP customizations and implementations are usually not as straight forward and can take up much time and resources to ensure successful and problem free implementation. With these solutions, it will probably help organizations to speed up any SAP processes and gain ROI quicker. After all, we just want our business processes streamlined to increase productivity and reduce any downtime. Check GuiXT out today!

Some say that we don’t really need to have antivirus software installed on our Mac simply because there is no way for a Mac to get virus.

Is this true or false?

After all, a safe environment from viruses is one reason why people generally switch from using the PC to Mac. From my research, I found that even Mac OS users can get viruses on their machine if one does not practice safe browsing, opens every single email attachments, or surf malicious sites.

Although there are fewer viruses written specifically to target the Macintosh OS, Mac viruses do exist. Cross-platfrom threats, such as many of the Office macro viruses, can also be a problem for Mac users. Because of this vulnerability, security companies have developed anti viruses for Mac users. As usual there are free and open source anti virus as well as those which you need to pay. The following is a list I’ve compiled:

Free and open source antivirus for Mac

• ClamXav - ClamXav is a free virus checker for Mac OS X. It uses the tried, tested and very popular ClamAV open source antivirus engine as a back end.
• MPP Free Edition 1.2.113 - MPP Free Edition is a high performance application that provides virus and spam protection with ClamAV and SpamAssassin, with GUI management, optional end-user review of virus and spam quarantines and many extras like email signatures, max file size limits, extnstion bloking and more. Think of the MPP Free Edition as an ultra-fast alternative to open source tools such as MailScanner or AmavisD, with great GUI management, user-friendly installation for most Linux distributions, Mac OS X and FreeBSD, complete documentation and management. MPP requires no compiling or Perl expertise.

Not free antivirus for Mac

• Virus Barrier - VirusBarrier X5 protects your Mac from viruses by constantly examining all the files that your computer reads and writes, as well as watching for suspicious activity that may be the sign of viruses acting on applications or other files. With VirusBarrier X5 on your computer, you can rest assured that your Macintosh has the best protection available against viruses of all kinds.
• PC Tools iAntiVirus - With PC Tools iAntiVirus you are protected against the most nefarious cyber-threats attempting to gain access to your Mac and personal information. It also provides real-time protection and comprehensive system scanning to ensure your Mac remains safe and virus free.
• Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac - provides integrated cross-platform virus detection on Macintosh servers, desktops and laptops. The powerful Sophos virus detection engine scans all entry points, and also detects non-Mac viruses that could be harbored on Mac computers.