SCM in the Cloud

Managing Automation just reported on what is believed to be the first SCM vendor to move to a cloud based offering.  Like many others, I am intrigued (but not yet sold) with cloud computing.  So, I read with interest about Amitive bringing Unity 5.0 to the cloud (for forecasting, inventories, etc).  At first glance, their positioning sounds impressive, working with both public and private clouds… even behind firewalls.  Alleged cost savings are around 33% as well.

Predictions for the cloud vary from unbridled success… to massive failure due to security concerns, over hyped cost savings etc.  McKinsey recently noted a test with a large customer that actually spent more utilizing a cloud environment vs. a data center.

So, Amitive has dipped their toes in the pool before the rest.  We’ll have to just wait and see how it all pans out.  Remember when no one believed Salesforce.com would make it?

Wow… Wolfram Alpha…

Got a chance to take a quick peek at the new search engine Wolfram Alpha.  I have to say, that I’m very impressed with its present capabilities… yet left wondering about its future.

True to their messages prior to launch, it is driven by a strong mathematics/scientific foundation.  A number of tests I ran came back with some specifically detailed answers that would’ve taken at least 1-2 hours to compile.  In that sense, quite a remarkable tool.

A few areas to look for in the future…
…I saw that they tended to link out to Wikipedia for further information.  While Wikipedia certainly is a good site for general information, its hard to believe Wolfram Alpha would rely on such an unscientific partner.

…A search for “Grand Canyon” only came back with information on the 80’s/90’s movie Grand Canyon.  Didn’t offer any other suggestions for topics as it did with other searches.  I would’ve thought it would come back with analysis related to volume, depth, width, species, etc. one of the World’s most spectacular areas rather than a Steve Martin movie.

…Thinking some smart player would love to pick up this technology.  But then wondering if they’ve already looked under the covers and backed away.

Successful Time Management

Dear Industry Analysts… Think Green (aka stop sending me masses of mail)

Dear Industry Analyst firm,

Today I received an invitation to your Software Developer’s conference in yet another highly desirable location. Looks fantastic… exotic location, golf, spa… except I’m not a Software Developer. I don’t even pretend to play one on TV and I didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn Express.

I get 3-5 of these each week from you and other firms. And none of them align with current or previous role. I checked my profiles, and yes, I’m listed under Marketing. Just thinking that in this day and age of “going green” on top of companies looking for ways of cutting back… you may want to take a good look at your marketing lists and scale back some.

Where’s the Innovation?

I just read a news article on the upcoming release of GM’s new (old) Camaro and got to thinking… Is this innovation?  Check out these highlights from GM and tell me which one is the next ground breaking feature that will make the line a success: 10 exterior colors (wow!), 4 wheel independent suspension (unbelievable!), 4 wheel disc brakes (you don’t say!), etc.

I don’t meant to pick on GM.  They’re just the example that got me thinking about the sheer lack of innovation in the manufacturing world.  It’s eerily reminiscent of Hollywood these days and the new movies (remakes) that get churned out (any Batman, Spiderman, Iron Man, Transformers, etc.).

What was the the last truly innovative product?  The iPod?  Hard to believe but that came out back in 2001!  What else have manufacturers brought to market that has changed the game?  I can name P&G’s Swiffer as something that changed the way we do a little house cleanup… also the Clorox Wipes.  The Wii certainly comes to mind as well.

What I find most interesting is that while most of the world’s manufacturers seem determined to develop just an improved version of their current product, the truly innovative are developing unique products that do not get stuck in price war mode.  Sure, as others come to market they have to contend with competitors, but typically these innovative companies are able to continue innovating beyond the scope of the competition (see shuffle, iphone, itouch).

What else is out there?  What is going to pry the money from our wallets in this current economic climate?

How did we get here?

Whew! What an “incredible” period of uncertainty we’re in. (I like to use incredible as a long time ago I was told when you answer the question of “How are you?” If you answer incredible, you’re very likely telling the truth… you’re just not saying incredibly bad, or incredibly good). Anyway, the market has lost 20% in a month, foreclosures are allegedly at an all time high, the election is nothing more than a war of words between the candidates… Hey at least gas/oil has come down a little!

So, how did we get here? Before I submit my .02, I can’t help but look back to the internet boom/bust and think about the similarities. While not wholly to blame, consumers have a fair amount to do with both major economic downturns. Think about it… we bought stock in companies that had the financial stability like a house of cards. WorldCom – Buy… Krispy Kreme – Buy… Enron – Buy. Though I never owned these, I did own some Global Crossing. Wow, that was a wise pick… a company leveraged to the hilt burying cables across the ocean floor. What was I thinking?

Worldcom tumbles while all signs point to Strong Buy

I was taking the word of some bankers (investment bankers in this case). You name the firm, they had strong buy ratings on any business that had an e or an i in front of it… or a .com after it.

Which leads me to where I see much of the blame should lie. Bankers. Investment bankers in the internet boom, and now the core financial institutions/banks for what I imagine they went against every piece of conventional wisdom they knew about lending. I think of the used car hawks saying “Bad credit, no credit… no problem” to describe their actions in this housing crisis. Yes, consumers are far too greedy. They want the 4 car 2.5 bath home, 2 car/suv’s, etc like everyone else. How did they do it? Banks let them finance the house with no money down, 1 year ARM’s, interest only… as for the car’s? Tie them into a 72 month lease.

Point is, bankers from both examples above are supposed to be the best and the brightest. These are the people with MBA’s from Wharton and Kellogg and Stern. And they’re running the businesses making decisions to lend to people with a credit score of 200.

In the end, this will likely happen again far too soon. We’ll make it through this crisis and consumers will again fall for it hook, line and a debt to income ratio of 50/50.