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The article presents information on business process management (BPM) computer software. BPM starts with process modeling. Process modeling is a business-driven exercise wherein current and proposed process flows are documented in detail, linked to quantifiable performance metrics, and optimized through simulation analysis. Such optimized models automatically generate the skeleton of the information technology implementation in the process designer of a BPM suite. Process designer is a graphical development tool that incorporates human workflow, application integration, and business rules to develop an executable process solution.

The article provides predictions of executives on the future of information technology (IT) and the computer software industry. According to Proofpoint Inc.'s chief executive officer, Gary Steele, the blogosphere will become the richest source of material news leaks in the history of the stock market. Furthermore, Carl Weddle, Director of IT at Quality Trailer Products, said that the consolidation of hardware, software, and telecommunication is nearing both practical and legal maxima. In addition, customers of IT will demand Internet-quality search in the enterprise, as forecasted by Accenture Ltd.'s chief information officer.

Discusses strategies for identifying and clearing out costly computer software. Importance of buying only software that is needed; Need to hire someone to watch over an application and making sure it has a business impact; Benefits from a decentralized IT buying model. INSET: ASSET MANAGEMENT: Where and When to Start.

Focuses on the development of computer software which complement system management software. Functionality of system management software; Limitations of performance tools; List of software companies which have developed complementary software for system management software as of June 2003.

The article reports that U.S.-based computer software company CA Inc. has launched software, services and training programs to help implement best practices for managing information technology shops under the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. The Service Management Accelerator offering aims to formalize and expand the company's ITIL-related products and services. The CA Service Management Accelators offerings include a new software product called Configuration Management Database r11.

The author of this article presents four problems that he would like to be remedied in Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Vista software. One of the author's long-standing gripes is the way Windows decides what window or application is active. He therefore suggests to the company never to change focus from the window he is working on until he explicitly command Windows to do so. Another problem occurs when a ton of files need to be deleted from a directory. Windows indicates that a file is in use and cannot be deleted. It does not give the specific application that has locked the file, and it does not ask if the user wants to delete it anyway or allow to continue deleting the next file.

Reports on developments related to the information technology industry. Formation of the U.S. Technology Professional Services Association; Creation of two European Union directives that will regulate the chemical compounds used in computers and other hardware; Availability of Bind-View Corp.'s BV-CAT regulatory compliance software.

This article reports that Cognos Inc. (CI) will unveil business intelligence software that integrates five products and is designed to work against any data source and simplify deployment. The new Cognos 8 includes query and reporting tools, dashboards, and analysis and event management capabilities that can be assessed through a single Web-based interface. The tool also adds the ability to report against multi-dimensional online analytical processing data. The tool integrates the ReportNet, Metric Manager, PowerPlay, DecisionStream and NoticeCast products of CI.

This article reports that Microsoft Corp. (MC) plans to deliver a new server software infrastructure package for midsize companies, plus role-based business applications that will be tailored to meet the needs of businesses with 50 to 1,000 employees. But the midmarket includes a wide variety of industries with different requirements. Illustrating the challenges that MC faces in trying to package software for such as broad customer base, some users expressed keen interest in the new and upcoming offerings, while others voiced doubts that the products will meet their specific needs.

Provides updates on topics related to information technology and the computer industry. Impact of the growing popularity of open-source private branch exchange software with integrated voice over Internet protocol capabilities; Use of hyperlinks to visually connect data from disparate sources on the network in Mindjet Corp.'s MindManager software; Identification of ActivCard Corp. as among the first single sign-on vendors whose software will work with the Firefox browser.

This article comments on the advantages and disadvantages of open sourcing and outsourcing software. Custom-developed software built on reliable open source frameworks wins the day when the benefits of slick commercial software cannot outweigh the licensing costs. On the other hand, when done for the right reasons, outsourcing can save money and reduce unnecessary distractions for in-house information technology (IT) teams. Outsourcing is becoming increasingly attractive in two particular scenarios. The first instance deals with outsourcing relatively generic functions that rely on widely used commercial software packages that require specific expertise and near-perfect uptime. In these scenarios, it is difficult to run these systems noticeably better than an outsourcer. The second, more interesting emerging scenario is the Web-based hosted service with a well-documented Web services API, an offering pioneered by Salesforce.com with their sforce platform. In this type of outsourcing arrangement, users get all the benefits of a core service without having to own software or hardware, but they retain the option to extend the system to address specific needs of their business. Platforms such as sforce dispel the notion that outsourcing is about cramming a variety of square-pegged businesses into a single hosted round hole. In areas where outsourcing does not make sense and IT needs to build custom functionality unavailable in commercial products, open source is an increasingly viable choice.

This article reports on the plan of Groove Networks to launch the Version 3.0 of its secure collaboration software in early 2004. Groove Version 3.0 will feature bolstered end-user and developer functionality, simplified admittance to collaborative workspaces and greater leverage of existing corporate infrastructure. The product's starting point, Groove LaunchPad, is designed to bring common tasks related to workspaces and contacts to a single location and will tap presence-awareness capabilities to display user and workspace activities. Users will be able to drag and drop a name from LaunchPad to invite another user to a workspace. The updated version will also include secure file-sharing technology that will allow standard Windows file folders to be automatically synchronized across any number of personal computers and to be shared among multiple users across firewalls. Using Web services, the technology may eliminate the need for e-mail attachments by allowing remote file-sharing and collaboration to occur directly within the Windows Explorer. The Forms tool in the software will allow users and developers to easily create applications than can capture, search, track measure and report on information. INSET: Widening Workspaces.