Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Plant floor to enterprise data module now supports SQL Server 2005 Online Development's xCoupler "enterprise transaction module"--a module that slips into a Rockwell Automation ControlLogix platform--now supports Microsoft SQL Server 2005 with bi-directional data translation between the two. The module already supported IBM WebSphere MQ reliable messaging systems, IBM DB2, AS/400, Oracle, Microsoft SQL and MySQL databases. 9:41:26 PM    comment []

Auction off your excess inventory Need to get rid of slow-moving or obsolete inventory? Consider an auction? Here's a solution just announced today. Obviously, I sat in on the briefing from FreeFlow.<br><br><a href="http://www.FreeFlow.com/">FreeFlow</a>, a provider of hosted inventory asset management solutions based in San Jose, Calif., announced a service partnership with <a href="http://www.ebay.com/privatemarketplace/">eBay</a> on December 19 that unites both companies' solutions to help enterprise customers maximize sales of excess, aging, returned and refurbished inventory. This offering of eBay's private marketplace technology and FreeFlow's pre-auction and post-auction business services presents customers with a number of options for maximizing inventory asset recovery and provides end-to-end services to customers desiring a turnkey asset disposition solution.<br><br>"Customers want to reach the broadest possible market for their at-risk inventory while minimizing expenses in technology and management overhead," said Alan Scroope, FreeFlow's founder and chief executive officer. "The combined offering of eBay's private marketplaces and FreeFlow's extensive business services, until now unavailable anywhere else, will bring our customers an array of opportunities to disposition at-risk inventory."<br><br>FreeFlow's pre-auction services include:<br>* remarketing strategy and market analysis,<br>* market intelligence, <br>* auction strategy and <br>* pricing advisory. <br><br>FreeFlow's post-auction services consist of:<br>* financial clearing,<br>* collections and settlement, <br>* shipping and logistics support and <br>* performance reporting. <br><br>"There is enormous opportunity for channel managers and distributors to increase their revenues with online private marketplaces. As companies move in this direction for the disposition of inventory, demand will increase for a broad range of service alternatives, ranging from internal site development and management, to fully hosted platforms and outsourced business processes. These will be key trends to watch in the future," stated Tiffani Bova, Research Director at Gartner.<br> 1:37:51 PM    comment []