News Briefs

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AT&T launches ASP platform

AT&T has launched “Ecosystem for ASPs,” a network-services platform and a comarketing and distribution program that will enable application service providers (ASPs) to quickly deliver high-performing and reliable network-based applications. AT&T also introduced an intelligent content distribution service and enterprise information storage services as elements of the new platform.

The hosted applications will reside in AT&T’s network and help businesses eliminate the costly overhead associated with managing complex software applications. These applications range from packages for small and mid-sized businesses up to enterprisewide manufacturing and supply-chain management applications.

The ASP comarketing program allows ASPs to leverage the power of AT&T’s brand through multiple levels of comarketing support. Additionally, qualified ASPs will be able to market and promote a broad range of AT&T Internet services in their offers.

Siebel teams with AMS in public sector

Siebel Systems and American Management Systems (AMS) have extended their strategic alliance to include joint marketing, collaborative selling and support, and joint development of comprehensive e-business solutions specifically designed for the public sector.

Under the agreement, AMS and Siebel will dedicate engineering, product marketing, and quality assurance teams to manage the integration, certification, and organization of Siebel e-business applications and AMS financial management and procurement solutions, including ADVANTAGE, Momentum, and Procurement Desktop.

The two companies will also pursue codevelopment opportunities in the areas of state tax revenue departments, departments of motor vehicles, human services and defense agencies, and e-commerce in government. The firms will jointly develop solutions for common government functions such as constituent services, licensing, and registration.

Centura, SAP develop mobile CRM pilot in Japan

Centura Software is working with SAP Labs Tokyo to help deliver the first mobile customer relationship management (CRM) solution to a Japanese customer, Wuerth Japan Co. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Wuerth AG of Germany.

Centura provided its Raima Database Manager on the Microsoft Windows CE operating system. It interfaces with the mySAP.com Internet business platform, and was adopted by Wuerth Japan in December 1999. Wuerth Japan’s salesforce can now access enterprise data via Windows CE devices at any time, from any place.

Active Software, AristaSoft to integrate supply chain

Enterprise application integration (EAI) software supplier Active Software and AristaSoft, an application service provider (ASP) focused on select vertical markets, have agreed to develop a supply-chain, application-integration platform for fast-growing, high-tech equipment manufacturers.

By using Active Software’s ActiveWorks Integration System as the platform for delivering e-business integration solutions, AristaSoft’s new “virtual enterprise” service will integrate applications within high-tech equipment providers and throughout their supply chain. Integrated applications will include AristaSoft’s industry-focused portfolio, applications already implemented by its customers, and business-to-business applications to link to other companies in the supply chain, such as contract manufacturers.

The application integration platform will automate business processes that cross enterprise boundaries, such as quote-to-order, Internet-based customer service, and supply chain management.

Intergraph, SAP to bridge engineering and business environments

Intergraph and SAP have signed a memorandum of understanding for joint development to integrate mySAP.com Internet business solutions with Intergraph’s integrated, life-cycle engineering solutions. SAP applications included in this agreement are product life cycle (PLM), supply chain management (SCM), and customer relationship management (CRM).

The two companies say these joint efforts will tightly integrate the business and engineering environments, bridging the companies’ distinct data models and databases.

The two companies add that expected customer benefits of the integration of the respective applications will include streamlining engineering workflows, delivering better process plants and ships, lowering manpower and material costs, reducing construction time and costs, and enabling effective life-cycle management of plant and ship assets.

BrightStar, Exodus in ASP deal

BrightStar Information Technology Group, an e-business and application service provider (ASP), has signed an alliance partner agreement and a master services agreement with Exodus Communications. Under the agreements, BrightStar will host, manage, and lease e-business solutions for large and mid-tier enterprises leveraging Exodus’ rapidly growing, world-class, Internet Data Center (IDC) infrastructure.

As part of the agreement, BrightStar and Exodus intend to engage in joint marketing activities. Exodus will provide Web hosting services at its IDCs, along with bandwidth and managed services.

Changepoint unveils B2B PSA infrastructure

Changepoint, a provider of solutions for professional-services supply-chain management, has launched myChangepoint.com. A hosted, Web-based extension to Changepoint’s leading PSA application, myChangepoint.com allows IT services organizations, such as professional services organizations, corporate IT departments, IT staffing companies, and independents, to work together as critical parts of the Professional Services Supply Chain.

myChangepoint.com will provide customers with additional information tailored for the professional services industry. For example, services companies will be able to compare their performance to industry benchmarks, access industry expert advice and best practices, or even participate in money-saving group purchase offers exclusive to myChangepoint.com users.

Deloitte Consulting, Siebel form strategic alliance

Deloitte Consulting and Siebel Systems say they have expanded their strategic alliance, which will increase the companies’ ability to deliver integrated, e-business solutions globally across a diverse range of industry clients.

The scope of the Global Strategic Alliance includes: increased joint solution development, increased back office/ERP and e-business integration, seamless integration of Siebel e-business applications with Broadvision and Ariba, and an expansion of the global solution center network.

Deloitte Consulting is the first ‘Big Five’ firm to achieve an alliance of this significance with Siebel Systems.

Ironside integrates e-commerce apps with SAP R/3

Ironside Technologies has completed development of Ironworks for SAP, Ironside’s integrated solution for the SAP installed base.

Ironworks for SAP enables manufacturers and distributors running SAP software to extend customers’ real-time access to available-to-promise (ATP) information, order status, logistics, and transaction capability. Through its patent-pending use of Java, Ironworks for SAP provides subsecond performance characteristics, even over a slow dial-up connection.

Along with each of Ironside’s 14 integrated solutions, Ironworks for SAP integrates with a company’s enterprise systems at the application level, ensuring that online customers have real-time access to the same information residing on a company’s host order-management system.

Siebel Q4 revenues up 37%

Siebel Systems has reported Q4 1999 revenues of $268 million, a 37% increase over the previous quarter, and net income of $45 million, a 50% sequential quarterly increase.

For the year, revenues were $790.9 million, a 93% increase over the previous year, and income was $122.1 million, up 116% from 1998.

Informix Q4 1999 revenues set record

Database vendor Informix says its revenues for the fourth quarter of 1999 were a record $251.1 million, compared with $214.9 million for the fourth quarter of 1998, an increase of 17%. Pro forma operating income increased 130% to $52.7 million, representing an operating margin of 21%, as compared to pro forma operating income of $22.9 million and operating margin of 10.7% in the fourth quarter of 1998.

Pro forma net income for the quarter, excluding $2.8 million in charges associated with the acquisition of Cloudscape Inc., was $45.4 million, or $0.21 per share, an increase of 121% compared with pro forma net income of $20.5 million, or $0.11 per share, in the fourth quarter of 1998. Including nonrecurring charges and credits in both quarters, net income for the fourth quarter of 1999 was $42.6 million, or $0.20 per share, compared with $20.9 million, or $0.11 per share, in the same period of 1998.