Enterprise Software

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MxVDev is Micromax's answer to software project management in a global environment. The system essentially removes bottlenecks in software project communication by moving the focus in requirements from verbal expressions to software tests.

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Filed under: Automotive | Canton, MI | Enterprise Software | Finding Gaps | Globalization | MicroMax | Rachel McCormack | Software

MicroMax developed MxVDev as a response to the demands of software project management in a global economy.  MxVDev is MicroMax's product for testing embedded software systems.  As mentioned in an earlier segment, embedded software systems are those where software enhances an already existing function. For instance, embedded software is what enables anti-lock braking systems.

Given the importance of embedded systems like anti-lock braking, testing is critical. MxVDev attacks testing differently in a few ways:

• It eliminates communication overhead by expressing the requirements into software tests that are either passed or not. Both parties agree that the requirements are met when the tests are passed.
• It emulates the embedded system itself in software eliminating the need to ship expensive equipment around the world for testing.
• It allows multiple tests to occur at once, thereby accelerating the testing process.

Just as the Internet has given rise to a whole new array of identity and access challenges, identity management systems that are designed for the Internet, like openID, may be part of the solution.

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Filed under: Ann Arbor, MI | Deloitte | Enterprise Software | Finding Gaps | IT Security | Mark Ford | Web 2.0

Mark Ford, National Leader of Deloitte's Identity and Access Management Practice, recounts how the practice has emerged over the past decade (download the 7.5 minute ipod compatible video, 39MB). One of the driving forces in its creation has been the emergence of the Internet as a daily fact of business life. Once internal and externally facing systems are opened to the Internet, they face hundreds of different permutations in having to verify identity and grant access.

Just as the Internet has given rise to a whole new array of identity and access challenges, identity management systems that are designed for the Internet, like openID, may be part of the solution. Generally, the choice of solution will be based on risk assessment that weighs the potential increase in business from open access against the financial damage a breach would bring. A good example is the credit card industry that takes on the risk of sending out unsolicited cards in order to gain business.

In future segments, we will discuss Deloitte's innovation model and trends in Internet security.

(n.b., As used in this article, "Deloitte" means Deloitte & Touche LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Deloitte's site (www.deloitte.com/us/about) outlines the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries.)

Tom describes why Facebook might make an ideal delivery platform for training products targeted at the enterprise.

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Filed under: Ann Arbor, MI | Defining New Markets | Education | Enterprise Software | Procuit | Tom Meloche | Web 2.0

In this 9 minute segment (download iPod compatible, 46MB), Tom Meloche, Senior Partner at Procuit describes his company's product offering as an enterprise ready Web 2.0 knowledge transfer solution. Essentially, Procuit is looking to upend the delivery of corporate training over the Web. To do so, it will utilize its own web site and social utilities such as Facebook which over a year ago opened its doors to corporate as well as educational communities.

There are a few reasons to consider Facebook as an enterprise delivery platform:

• Since opening its doors to corporate customers, membership has been growing at the phenomenal rate of 3% per week.
• Facebook membership currently stands at 45 million but is expected to grow to 200 million by the end of 2008.
• Unlike other enterprise platforms that require active searching to uncover information, Facebook provides a river or stream for each user to simply observe what is happening in his or her network.
• In sum, the size of the platform and the ease of observing the activities of your own network within it should greatly enhance the impact of viral marketing effort.

Readers of this site may recall that Lou Rosenfeld is using a similar viral marketing approach with his own network that is not based in Facebook.

[n.b., Pure Visibility kindly provided the physical location for this interview.]

Enterprise sales involve multiple stakeholders. Dennis Blanchette describes the needs of each of stakeholder and how Ensure seeks to satisfy them.

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Filed under: Dennis Blanchette | Ensure Technologies | Enterprise Software | Finding Gaps | IT Security | Ypsilanti, MI

In this 5 minute segment (download iPod compatible, 25MB) describes the typical enterprise sales process. Need for his product is typically driven by regulations and requirements such as HIPAA regulations to protect patient data, Sarbanes-Oxley to ensure internal control of financial data, or the need to protect intellectual property. However, while respecting the security requirements, employees must also be able to use the system.

Therefore, Dennis views his sale as comprising three entities:

• The CFO or CTO in charge of regulatory compliance.
• IT which is typically charged with implementing any solution and must satisfy the needs for regulatory compliance while also taking into account the needs of the end user.
• The end user who must experience the system.

Ensure's point of contact is typically IT or above. However, they must satisfy the end-user or the sale will not work.