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Your information systems (IS) department is developing a mission critical system based on client/server, distributed systems, or downsized platforms. Clearly, the plan is 'technologically correct'-- right? Anyone who questions the [...]

ALTHOUGH THERE are few guarantees in life, failing to address the organizational and cultural issues that the data warehouse imposes is guaranteed to result in failure. Unfortunately, the existing conditions […]

Presents letters to the editor in response to articles in previous issues of "Business Week." Reactions to "The BusinessWeek 50," a list of top performing companies in the April 4, 2005 issue; Advice for General Motors Corp. in response to the March 28, 2005 article "Running Out of Gas"; Comments on the article "Why Private Accounts Are Bad Public Policy," in the April 4, 2005 issue; Others.

This article discusses the importance of implementing an internally developed data warehouse (DW) solution on determining the quantitative value of the built up intangible assets in a business enterprise. The DW solution promotes the objective of fair value measurement for accounting purposes. By capitalizing the DW assets, corporations are much more likely to commit the resources and the management attention that are so critical to the success of a data warehouse. For corporations wanting to minimize their expenses in the current period, capitalizing allows them to amortize the value of the data warehouse over future periods and not have to absorb all the expenses right away. INSET: Totally Teen Togs (T3).

Focuses on the process of reference checking in selecting data warehouse software in business. Alternatives to reference checking; Factors to consider in evaluating vendors; Tips of communicating results with stakeholders.

The author comments on the importance of metadata, calling it the DNA for one's organization. He also stresses the importance of understanding the criticality of metadata. He believes that metadata provides a viable means of communication and that to make this effective, one should consider the organization's training related to capturing intellectual capital in metadata.

The article discusses the primary components of a data governance strategy. In his concept of data governance, the author includes data quality, metadata creation and maintenance, master data management, data integration, business intelligence, and security and privacy, among others. Before much else happens, a data governance scheme needs executive sponsorship and it needs this sponsorship for a number of reasons. The sponsor needs a realistic evaluation of the effort involved, especially the effort required from his or her organization as well as the expected time frame and the anticipated benefits. The message about data governance needs to be consistent and needs to be support the strategic goals of the organization.

The article presents tips on blaming the vendors for one's mistakes. The author states that it will contribute to argue that the performance of a product was unacceptable. It is also significant to say that the salesman said the product would be easy to install and use but it was far more difficult than the salesman represented it to be. In addition, the author argues that it will be helpful to reason out that the product required additional features and accessories that were not included the budget.

The article offers a guide to companies on checking the references provided by vendors of business solutions, technologies and other services. It stresses the need for companies doing reference checking to have a background information on the company referred to them by the vendor, including the industry and company size. It emphasizes the need for companies doing reference checking to be consistent in their questioning. It also offers a set of sample questions that companies can use in reference checking.

The article discusses the importance of reference checking to the selection of right software products and related utilities. According to the author, the selection of the right product and related services is a critical success factor for most projects. He cites the advantage of proper reference checking. He mentions the ways of selecting and gathering references and suggestions for the types of references a person wants to call. He also suggests to ask around and locate other companies using the software.

The article presents tips on selecting information technology and services. It emphasizes that in selecting data warehouse tools, it mostly has to do with where one starts his evaluation. A list of guide questions is provided to understand one's environment and infrastructure. It includes the preferred platform, that is, the operating system and database management system, the tools one already has in place, if they are in good condition, and whether there is a plan to use them in one's data warehouse.

The article discusses the effectiveness of using visualization method as tool in business intelligence. Visualization refers to the use of 3-dimensional image and pictures to present and analyze data. Visualization is free of meaning and could be subject to misinterpretation. In order for it to become a critical aspect of the business intelligence delivery of the organization, methods of analysis and interpretation should first be defined. The organization should first specify how it would use visualization tool in decision making when choosing visualization system software.

The article offers pieces of advice in dealing with vendors of information management solutions. Factors such as the environment, product requirements, decision criteria and decision scheduling are vital in the tool selection process. When purchasing solutions, users must inquire vendors about product information and refrain from discussions on competition. A presentation agenda should be considered including questions and answers for possible corrections on product knowledge. A requirement for excellent vendor support should also be considered.

The article suggests optimal approaches to the exhibit hall. You need a plan to make the best of your time during an exhibition. If you are going to be looking at many category of tool, map out the floor and visit all the vendors in one category before going on to the next group. If the category is extract, transform and load (ETL), you will look at each of the ETL vendors before moving on to business intelligence tools. The conference catalog will provide you with information on each of the vendor's specialties. Be ready with your questions. Collect literature, especially white papers, and take notes on what you have learned.

The article explores the activities in the data warehouse which are appropriate for outsourcing. Data modeling should not be outsourced because it is doubtful that an outside consultant would be aware of the organization's unique processes. Understanding the data sources of the extract, transform and load process is best accomplished by an employee who knows the sources. Business intelligence should not be outsourced because it requires a thorough knowledge of the data, the business, the management and what management needs.

This article presents the author's views on the process of getting direction from the chairman of the board and the CEO, the initial step in gathering requirements for technology and services. It discusses the importance of executive management directives and the highlights of any management directive and offers ideas for the software selection team.