IPS Insights

The debate rages on over outsourcing, co-sourcing, offshoring and continuing to manage business processes internally. Depending on who you talk to and the way statistics are presented all can make a valid argument.      (more...)

Although many companies aspire to promote easy interaction and coordination across departments, office locations, and pay scales, the "boundaryless" organization - like the paperless office - hasn't materialized.     (more...)

We all know that this time of year tends to be a time for taking stock of the 12 months just gone by, and making resolutions for the year to come.     (more...)

Integrated Solutions Magazine, Laurie Pasquerell     (more...)

With the outlook for sales growth dim, everyone from Target to Cadbury to Merck is turning to Six Sigma to squeeze out more savings.     (more...)

As CEO Ellison tries to extend the company's reach into hardware, more corporate clients fret about its high prices and tough tactics     (more...)

Paper, paper, paper. It's everywhere in a small business, from customer invoices and expense receipts to your licenses and annual tax returns. Without proper management, these records can gradually proliferate into a monumental mess, making it difficult to find what you really need amid the clutter.     (more...)

There is a good article in Information Week outlining how the US Federal Government is struggling with Social Media Records Retention Policies. My first thought was, can eDiscovery issues be far behind? It is interesting that the article goes on to say "one keynote speaker asked the crowd of several hundred how many of the archivists in attendance were sold on the use of social media. Only a smattering raised their hands." This is an interesting contrast to the current Obama administration that has clearly embraced social media both in the run up to the White House and now while in the White House.     (more...)

Managing strategic initiatives effectively and efficiently at any time can be challenging. When the economy turns itself on its head it is even more critically important. This whitepaper will discuss the business context we are currently in, what makes initiatives challenging and challenged and the application of key concepts to manage strategic initiatives now and beyond the crisis.     (more...)

Most large organizations regard the development of a digital mailroom - defined as a solution to accurately capture and process all incoming documents regardless of their content, format, or point of origin - as critical to their success. Development of an integrated input management solution for paper and electronic information is key to improved efficiency and cost reduction but also to more important strategic goals of more responsive customer service and better management control.     (more...)

Enterprise customers are increasingly aware of the "deadweight tax" levied by ERP systems. This so-called tax accrues within the IT organization because ERP systems can't keep pace as the business changes.      (more...)

According to the US Bureau of Labor, 93% of companies that suffer a significant loss of business data are out of business within five years. In an effort to save money, management is often advised to implement data recovery processes rather than comprehensive, enterprise-wide data protection plans. This strategy can then backfire when a business faces a disaster and discovers - too late - that their vital records are irreplaceable or have not been properly identified and protected to begin with.     (more...)

Today's competitive business landscape forces more out-of-the-box thinking by business leaders. Outsourcing can result in big payoffs to the bottom line, but it also comes with its share of risk. Outsourcing non-core competencies is a common business practice these days. The further decision to offshore certain outsourced processes, if made wisely, can give a company the competitive advantage it needs to succeed.     (more...)