Archive for March, 2009



Apple iPhone 3.0 More Business Friendly

March 26th, 2009 by Erin Posted in Business | 1 Comment »

Blackberry is out. iPhone is in.

If anyone ever had any complaints about the Apple iPhone in the past – well, it’s time to take another look.

This week Apple released a beta version of its next generation software and it will no doubt heed to the newly emerged apps craze.

Aside from new peer-to-peer connectivity, turn-by-turn directions, and a much anticipated cut and paste feature, the Apple iPhone 3.0 is essentially a third-party developers dream – and could become quite the little handy device for businesses.

Right now, there are already more than 25,000 applications in the Apple App Store; buy ‘em and download ‘em just like iTunes. In an effort to fuel the craze even more, iPhone 3.0 software will include more than 1,000 new application programming interfaces.

Developers need not worry about finding work in this economy. Apple’s got them covered.

Here, though, is the real highlight of the 3.0 upgrade: business support.

Until now, it had been thought that iPhones were just cool consumer devices and inappropriate for business. Now it seems business software companies are clamoring to get in on the apps action.

Here’s a look at what some of the bigger names in business software are doing:

-Workday, a provider of hosted business software, plans to post an application on the Apple App Store that will let customers tap into their human resources and financial systems from iPhones.

-Sybase, which has already released a mobile client “in-box” for e-mail, data security, and business processes for Windows and Symbian devices, plans to post an iPhone version on the App Store next week.

-Oracle now has five apps on the App Store. It’s most successful one, for accessing Oracle business intelligence software, has been downloaded by nearly 44,000 iPhone users.

Wow! Imagine what we’ll see in future upgrades? I guess it really is okay to bring your iPhone to work.

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Stature Software and /n software Partnership Announced

March 23rd, 2009 by Gregory Silvano Posted in Stature Projects | No Comments »

Stature software Announces partnership with /n software to provide Enhanced development services to customers

New partnership expands the range of choices available to /n software customers, beyond packaged software, to custom solutions from a trusted partner with a proven track record of success in developing Microsoft-centric solutions the leverage /n software technologies.

March 23rd, 2009, Research Triangle Park, NC – /n software inc. (www.nsoftware.com), a leading provider of professional Internet development tools and components, today announced a strategic partnership with Stature Software.  Stature Software is a global software development company focused on providing Microsoft-centric business applications and integration solutions for a wide range of businesses.  Stature will offer custom application development and software services to /n software customers seeking to improve their business performance and enhance processes by leveraging investments in /n software communications technologies.

Stature is an agile, solution-driven software application development company focused on improving mid-sized business operations, offering high quality database, Web and Desktop Applications with reliable responsive customer service and excellent value. Stature’s goal is to become a long-term strategic partner with each client and provide ongoing application development support that directly solves practical business problems and delivers a significant return on investment.

 “/n software has always been a ‘pure-play packaged-software provider’, focusing on tools and components for secure connectivity and e-business integration, but over the years a growing number of customers have requested custom development solutions around our various offerings.” said Gent Hito, CEO of /n software. “Our new partnership with Stature allows us to better address their needs, while still maintaining our focus on package software solutions.  With Stature Software, we are pleased to be able to introduce our customers to a trusted third-party, with many years of experience using our tools and components, and a continuing track of success stories under their belt. We firmly believe their ROI- focused development approach will provide excellent value to our customers.”

“Stature Software warrants its code against bugs for the life of the product, so the importance of quality components cannot be overstated.  Stature has been an ardent supporter of all /n software components for years and is genuinely excited to partner as a custom development solution provider,” said Gregory Silvano, President of Stature Software. “Today’s business applications are more dependent than ever on connectivity and Internet-awareness, so having a partner with the experience and credibility of /n software is a tremendous advantage to Stature and its customers.”

Stature Software
Stature is a successful global software development company with local teams available throughout the United States and internationally in Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Philippines, Czech Republic, and Argentina. Our team consists of Microsoft .NET developers, Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle DBAs, graphic artists, CSS & Javascript gurus, Quality Assurance Engineers, and Software Project Managers.  You can reach the company via email at info@staturesoftware.com, on the World Wide Web at www.staturesoftware.com, or by calling (888)782-8881.

/n software
/n software is a leading provider of networking tools, enterprise adapters, and software development components for Internet, Security, and E-Business.  Founded in 1994, /n software (pronounced ‘n software’) is based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.  You can reach the company via email at info@nsoftware.com, on the World Wide Web at www.nsoftware.com, or by calling (800) 225-4190 or (919) 544-7070.  

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All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

 

Honk If You’re Paying My Mortgage

March 13th, 2009 by Erin Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

 

 

Thought we could all use a good laugh.

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Is Microsoft ‘Surface’ Substance or Show?

March 12th, 2009 by Erin Posted in Business | No Comments »

This week, I was struck by the following business news headline:

Coldwell Banker Launches Microsoft Surface App

Curious – I clicked to check it out.

How was a real estate company using one of Microsoft’s showiest business applications?

Aren’t we in a recession? Isn’t the housing market down like +20%?

It turns out Coldwell Banker is leading the pack with its development of a revolutionary home search application – powered, none other, by Microsoft Surface. Coldwell Banker’s Home Search application allows you to search for properties and browse neighborhoods – all at your finger tips.

This new got me thinking.

Is there real substance with this Microsoft Surface application? Or is it all show?

True, the whole package is quite impressive.

At 30 inches, its table shaped, flat-screen surface (hence the name) responds to flicks, pinches, points as well as bar codes or anything else you want to put on its screen. 

At the very least, Surface is a great conversation piece. At most, its a handy collaboration tool.

Personally, I see Microsoft Surface as an interactive information kiosk.

Since it can also interact with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices, the business application is being used at several Sheraton Hotels across the country. Guests says it’s like their own virtual concierge, offering travel tips, maps, and pictures of the local area – all of which can be uploaded to their own mobile devices. I’ve read that guests can also tap into the lobby’s soundtrack, create play lists, and take songs to go.

Hmm… Muzak to go? I don’t think so.

Retail stores are also testing out Surface. AT&T uses it as a presentation tool and a personal shopper, helping customers compare phones, and find coverage areas.

Is Microsoft Surface your small business solution?

Probably not.

It is, though, an innovative way for businesses – BIG businesses – to engage their customers and really knock their socks off.

We’ll see if the Surface can successfully integrate into the mainstream business world.

One of two things has to happen first though:

Microsoft has to make Surface commercially available – which will not likely happen for the next couple years.

Or, Micosoft must come down off its price. 

$10,000 a pop is a little steep.

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