Information Strategy | Enterprise Applications | Application Integration | Business Intelligence | Performance Management | Business Execution | Customer Intelligence | Information Management | Application Management | The Vanguard | On-Demand Leadership | Unstructured Intelligence

Application Management

Developing and managing applications to take advantage of new technologies are critical activities if organizations expect to expand return on software investment. We considered vendors that are not only driving technology advancement but are also guiding alignment of application management with business objectives.

Mercury Interactive

Growing up as a cost center, IT is now being asked to transform itself into a business-savvy service provider. Mercury saw this shift coming in 2000, when it rebuilt its application management and testing tools to help customers meet end-user performance expectations. The company has prospered.

Mercury is a true visionary when it comes to what some call "IT governance," others call "business technology optimization" but all agree is an overdue reorientation that applies performance analytics and process management to the cobbler's children who have no shoes: IT itself. Mercury has the technology goods to make it all work.

Companies to Watch in 2005

BMC Software. "Business service management" is BMC's term for the IT infrastructure paradigm now guiding its expansive toolset. BMC's steak can back up its sizzle.

CAST Software. Offshoring application development puts a premium on portfolio management. CAST's ability to get at the source of problems puts it in a league by itself.

Computer Associates. CA is a leader in enhancing application and asset management with autonomous agents, reporting and analysis tools to give IT actionable intelligence.

Popkin Software. Enterprise architects and business process modelers are hot commodities. Popkin is the top independent provider of tools for this trade.

The Vanguard

In this special topic area, we feature five companies that are helping businesses push the envelope in leveraging information for greater agility and smarter business processes. These activities include applying business rules to better synchronize strategic objectives with operational performance; taking a different perspective on BI through activity monitoring and a greater awareness of business “events” rather than just data; and using intelligence and analytics in new ways to improve security and protection against fraud.

Fair Isaac

Fair Isaac provides the brains behind credit risk evaluation and many related functions, including fraud and identity theft detection. With Blaze Advisor and Enterprise Decision Manager, the company brings together predictive analytics and business rules engines, two technology areas that veritably shimmer with potential for advanced BI, performance management and intelligent process execution.

Companies to Watch in 2005

Celequest. To survive on the frontiers of operational efficiency, businesses need active, real-time visibility. Celequest's Activity Server and dashboard merit attention.

Guardium. High-profile hacker attacks have exposed the dire state of data security in a heterogeneous world. Guardium's analytic approach is coming to the rescue.

Ilog. Business agility means being responsive to customers, regulatory threats and rapid market changes. Ilog is a leading developer of business rules management systems, which can turn agility into something enduring and repeatable.

KXEN. In a risky world, the stakes are enormous even without the added pressure of regulatory swords dangling overhead. Predictive analytics must be fast, flexible and produce results. KXEN is changing the game.

> Back to Menu