Spring 1996 € Volume 1 € Number 1
Net News
Web-Based Workflow Applications
Action Technologies has released the Action Workflow Metro, a workflow solution
for the Internet which allows companies to use the Internet to coordinate
enterprise business processes such as improved customer satisfaction, reduced
product delivery cycle time, and lowered costs for delivery of products
and services through any standard World Wide Web (WWW) browser product.
Metro includes 20 customizable applications such as customer service, sales
and marketing, human resources, finance and accounting, and engineering
applications. These applications leverage both a corporate intranet for
internal enterprise applications, such as human resources, and the Internet
for extended enterprise applications such as customer service. All of the
applications are designed to bring the customer, whether it be a buyer or
an employee submitting a request, into the center of a work process.
The Action WorkFlow Metro applications are launched from a company's web
site. For example, a customer can go to a company's web site and submit
a request for technical support. Once the request is submitted, the customer
can check its status at any time from the web site. Within the company,
the request is routed and tracked to ensure the necessary steps are taken
to satisfy the customer and reduce the number of calls into the help desk.
Employees within the company can access a human resources application from
their company's web site and enroll directly for benefits, saving administrative
time and costs, and allowing the employee to track the status of the request.
AutoSimulations on the Web
AutoSimulations, a simulation and scheduling software producer, has opened
a site on the World Wide Web. The AutoSimulations' web site provides: product
information, customer support from qualified technicians, consulting services
from expert engineers, world wide regional sales contacts, product tips
and a section for career opportunities within AutoSimulations. Access to
AutoSimulations web site can be made through any Internet Web browser via
http://www.autosim.com
Insight Opens Web Site
Insight, a vendor-independent automatic data collection (ADC) industry user
support group, has opened its home page on the World Wide Web. Accessible
at http://mgfx.com/insight, the new
site has been established to support the informational needs of ADC users,
VARs, integrators and consultants.
Information on the web site includes:
- White papers covering topics on basic understanding, applications,
specifications, etc.
- Answers to frequently asked questions, case studies, and an extensive
glossary of terms.
- Cost-estimation aids including prototype requests for proposals, and
other standard forms.
- An industry-exclusive index to articles featuring Auto ID News, ID
Systems, Modern Materials Handling, Scan Tech News, Data Management News,
and Consumer Goods Manufacturer.
- "Ask The Experts" -- submission of specific questions.
- Shareware programs, bookstore, keyword searches, calendar of events,
specification sources, and other existing and forthcoming features.
Enterprise Planning Leaps into the 'Net
Enterprise Planning Corp. gave away about 2,000 copies of its WebPLAN client/server
planning simulation and impact analysis software, built around Windows NT
3.51 and Windows 95, at the APICS Exhibition in Orlando last October. The
unprecedented giveaway coincided with the announcement that the software
is available for downloading, at no charge, on the World Wide Web.
"We are taking an aggressive approach to our marketplace," Enterprise
Planning President Michael Kerr says. "The software industry, and the
manufacturing niche we serve, will be affected in coming years by the growth
of the World Wide Web. We intend to take the leadership position."
Enterprise will continue to sell its UNIX-based systems, targeted primarily
at Fortune 500 companies, for full price. Enterprise expects to turn a profit
on the software by selling copies of add-on modules -- WebParts, WebPlanner
and WebPlant -- to manufacturers that begin using the fully functional WebPLAN
available on the Web. WebPLAN is provided with a full function MRP processing
engine to permit single-user MRP simulation runs, and a demonstration database
of parts, product structures, demand and supply records for a company that
manufactures bicycles. The company also offers information on how to load
your own company's data into WebPLAN to get the full benefits of the system.
Technical support is available via the Internet.
To download WebPLAN, point your Web browser to http://www.enterprise.on.ca/
and follow the directions.
Easier Web Searching
Blue Squirrel, Inc. has released its first SqURL (Search and query Uniform
Resource Locators) products -- SqURL Jr., SqURL and SqURL Plus. These products
unify multiple World Wide Web (WWW) search engines into one searcher. All
of the SqURL searchers will allow Internet users to search multiple search
engines, eliminate duplication of information and save time.
SqURL Jr. is designed for basic Internet search functions; SqURL can access
many search engines to look up information; and SqURL Plus is designed to
run on an unattended basis, allowing users to schedule WWW searches to run
automatically whenever and how often they want.
All the SqURL products can be accessed via Blue Squirrel's Internet site
at http://www.bluesquirrel.com.
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