Stories by Marc L. Songini

Novell pressed to bolster image

Ailing technology provider Novell has a strong e-business strategy and product line up, but the company still faces an image problem, according to users and analysts.

Users: Novell must reach Microsoft-minded executives

Some users of Novell 's software said this week that they're ready to implement the struggling vendor's new Internet-based products. But first they have to get their bosses to buy into the idea, and they said Novell needs to do more to help them with that challenge.

Novell pins hopes for rebound on One Net strategy

Novell is pinning its hopes for rebounding from financial losses and declining revenue on an emerging line of e-business technology and services, and some attendees at the struggling company's BrainShare 2001 user conference said they buy into its vision -- though not without some qualms.

CEO says Novell plans to 'stay the course'

It has been a rough ride of late for Novell and its CEO, Eric Schmidt. Last September, the networking software and services vendor laid off 16 percent of its workforce after seeing a sharp decline in revenue and profits. Since then, it has reported losses in its past two fiscal quarters, including a US$13.3 million operating deficit in the three months ended Jan. 31.

Despite tough times, Novell users remain upbeat

Users attending Novell Inc.'s BrainShare 2001 conference, which kicks off today, are convening as the ailing networking technology vendor closes a major acquisition and reshuffles its management team.

Lawsuit questions Oracle savings claims

The jury appears to be out on Oracle Corp.'s claim that it saved US$1 billion by standardizing on its own applications.While some industry observers and competitors expressed doubts about just how much money Oracle's E-Business Suite 11i saved Oracle, a new lawsuit goes beyond mere skepticism to allege fraud.

Some Oracle users still cautious about new applications

Although Oracle Corp. is pointing to an increasing number of installations of the E-Business Suite 11i applications it shipped last year, users and analysts said many companies are still waiting for the technology to become more mature before upgrading from earlier versions of the software.

Oracle pushes marketing buttons

Oracle Corp. is using the inaugural US version of its Oracle AppsWorld conference largely to hammer home already-developed marketing messages about its business applications, not to break new ground on technology, according to users and analysts attending the event here.

Clinton calls for more IT spending

Former president Bill Clinton, in a keynote speech at a conference for users of Oracle Corp.'s business applications, Monday issued a call for increased government spending on IT and asked technology managers to work to bridge the "digital divide" that exists between the rich and the poor.

Conference: B2B Hype and Reality Differ Greatly

There's a vast difference between the hype and the reality when it comes to building online marketplaces, according to attendees at a conference on business-to-business applications that's being held here this week.

Online Toy Retailers Work to Avoid Blunders

Looking to avoid last year's holiday-season mistakes, online toy retailers are busily beefing up their supply-chain capabilities in an effort to make this Christmas a merrier one from a business standpoint.

Some Online Grocers Give Thanks, Others Give Up

Some online grocers are ringing up big sales as Thanksgiving approaches, while others are picking up the phone and calling liquidators to help them dispose of their assets in going-out-of-business sales.

[]