Marc L. Songini

SAP AG plans to offer a Web application server that's compliant with Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE), a move it claims will help users tie their software to other e-business applications across heterogeneous systems, divisions and enterprises.

Customizing CRM software can be expensive, difficult and time-consuming. However, for companies that need to preserve a competitive advantage, adding vertical-market features or exploiting homegrown technology may make sense.

Supply chain software vendors i2 Technologies Inc. and Yantra Corp. are preparing to roll out rival order management applications designed for users who need to automate complex order fulfillment processes involving several business units or suppliers.

Supply chain software vendors i2 Technologies Inc. and Yantra Corp. are preparing to roll out rival order management applications designed for users who need to automate complex order fulfillment processes involving multiple business units or suppliers.

At its annual user conference this week in Chicago, Siebel Systems Inc. is expected to showcase a fully Web-architectural version of its flagship customer relationship management (CRM) software.

PeopleSoft Inc.'s rollout of services automation software could be a benefit to users faced with managing and accounting for field personnel and temporary and contract users, analysts said.

A year after its release, PeopleSoft

Finding themselves sweating in the current gloomy economic climate, companies are especially eager to harness their wild customer relationship management (CRM) data to maximize their marketing dollars.