Point of View Selling in Professional Services
On June 11 (1 pm EST), Brian Sommer from Vital Analysis will be leading a discussion on Selling Professional Services via a Point of View style. The web-based seminar is being hosted by PSA (professional services automation) vendor OpenAir. Registration information and call-in details will be found soon at: http://www.openair.com/home/newsEvents.html .
Title: “Point of View & Other Selling Styles – Winning Sales Practices in Professional Services”
Acquiring Passive Talent? Read This Report
We recently spent time with the folks at Jobfox. This firm has a slick new product designed for persons already employed but possibly interested in a new career oppportunity. This approach makes the software quite different from traditional job boards. You can get a copy of this report from the Jobfox website. Follow this link to read more and to receive the report: http://www.jobfox.com/Site/press/Press052808.aspx
NEON – Coda’s New Product Line
Neon, briefly, builds on strong core financial modules CODA’s had for decades. It incorporates a new user interface and very tight integration with Microsoft Office products (e.g., Outlook, Infopath, SharePoint, Excel, etc.).
We’ve documented the Neon solution in an analyst report and it can be requested, free of charge for a limited time, just by sending your name and a valid business email address to contact@vitalanalysis.com .
Here’s the Executive Overview text:
“This week, CODA PLC announced the availability of its new Neon product line. The most noticeable aspects of this new offering are in the user interface and usability of the financial applications.
Neon is tightly integrated with Microsoft Office products (e.g., InfoPath and Outlook) and this integration permits an enhanced audit trail with suppliers and other constituents. Original source documents, like requisitions sent via e-mail, are made part of transactions.
Overall, the product line builds on pre-existing functionality found in earlier versions of CODA Financials. Beta customers see this product as an opportunity to drive further efficiency gains in their back office, supply chain and other areas.
We view the product to be quite useful for firms considering shared service centers. Alternatively, BPO providers may want to consider this product part of their solution set.
The product uses Microsoft Office products to deliver enhanced collaboration capabilities and improve worker efficiency. “
New Kenexa Report
We recently attended an analyst day at Kenexa’s headquarters outside of Philadelphia. We were briefed on a number of product and company announcements and have included much of this in a detailed report.
Here is a brief excerpt from the Product Direction section of the report:
“Kenexa is spending approximately $35 million in R&D this year. While significant enhancements are being made to existing Kenexa products such as BrassRing, CareerTracker and Assessments, the big story is Kenexa’s development of its next-generation platform currently called Kenexa 2X.
The 2X platform works with an all-new common services architecture. The common services layer will include a significant number of technologies that can be used across an array of talent management applications. These would include capabilities such as charting, background checks, surveying, etc. The 2X platform sits between the applications in the common services layer. The 2X platform provides a more detailed set of critical services that are shared and tightly integrated with all applications. Examples of this shared functionality and include workflow, competencies, organization structure, etc.
By the end of 2008, Kenexa Recruiter BrassRing functionality will be built anew with the common services architecture. Likewise, Kenexa CareerTracker will also be in beta. The new products have been substantially developed already and we have seen working versions of same. The new products are not complete though.”
This report is available to subscribers or can be individually purchased for $395. To order a copy, please submit a request or contact us via email at contact@vitalanalysis.com .
Oracle’s Accelerate Strategy
There’s been a flurry of press releases and announcements re: Oracle and their re-doubled partner program in the SMB (small-medium business) space. We recently spoke with Jeff Abbott, Vice President Global Accelerate Strategy of Oracle, about the program and its new momentum.
Here’s a quote from the Prognosis section of the report:
“This new momentum around the SMB space has additional value to Oracle as SMB buyers are one of the most recession proof sectors in the application software marketplace. Given the current economy, Oracle would do well to cultivate and expand its partner program in this space.
We believe Oracle’s focus on fixed-price implementations is not only appropriate but also long overdue in the SMB space. As we have published previously, SMB buyers have complex businesses while lacking the budgets of big firms (i.e., wine tastes/beer budgets). In discussions we have had with midmarket CFOs, the pain these companies face around uncertain implementation and integration costs is palpable. Vendors that seek to address this very real and painful market concern may do quite well.”
To receive a copy of this report, please complete our online form or email us at contact@vitalanalysis.com
