Applications for controlling the generation, distribution, and content of enterprise documents for IBM i abound.

Written by John Ghrist

One of the core functions of business computing is the process of managing information and passing it along to those who need it to do their jobs. Although information flow has been in a period of transition to electronic delivery for quite some time, the "paperless office" remains an elusive goal as a majority of managers and users continue to prefer the tangibility and seeming permanence of a paper document they can literally cling to. So, while it's almost an ironic anachronism when you consider the capabilities of today's systems, this information distribution process is still called "document management."

Choosing an ERP solution may seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.

Written by George R. Goodall

Too many enterprises become blinded by a blizzard of technology features when selecting ERP products. The process can drag on, and employees and management suffer ERP exhaustion before the real work of implementation even begins. Choosing the appropriate product involves far more than comparing product features and prices. Adhere to a rigorous selection process to simplify ERP selection.

Take advantage of the excellent reporting capabilities that Microsoft brings to the table.

By Michael Sansoterra

Originally introduced as an add-on to SQL Server 2000, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a stable product currently in its third version with SQL Server 2008. This article offers a high-level overview of SSRS and explains how to create reports against a DB2 for i data source. If your organization has significant reporting needs, SSRS could be a great fit.

ISVs and enterprises must move forward, while leveraging their existing knowledge and investments.

By Greg Schottland

Editor's Note: This article is excerpted from the white paper "The System i Challenge," which is available free from the MC White Paper Center.

The System i (formerly known as iSeries and AS/400) is a midrange platform produced by IBM. In the '90s, the AS/400 platform became one of IBM's greatest success stories. A symbiotic relationship between platforms and independent software vendors (ISVs) proved to be a critical success factor for both the platform and the application providers. The value propositions of the System i platform and the advantage over alternatives led thousands of enterprises and ISVs to develop vertical applications based on System i and to put their trust into and base their future on this environment. It was the golden age of the platform, and new vertical solutions were created one after the other.

Bad timing underscores vulnerability in the gold release of IE 8.

By Chris Smith

Microsoft released Internet Explorer 8 to the Web last week, prompting a rousing debate about which product is leading the pack in the browser wars.

But system administrators have questions they want answered: is it safe, and is it stable? Our considered reply: compared to what? They're all a bit soggy.