GLG News by ERP Software Experts

Roberto DolciChief Information Officer & Director Customer CareSYSTEM SPA

Some considerations on solar in 2010

January 18, 2010

Analysis of:Driving Down Thin-film Costs | www.renewableenergyworld.com

With cost/efficiency of crystalline silicon getting better, it does not look nice for thin film. The solar industry is trying hard to squeeze costs from materials, manufacturing process, installation process and electronics.But these advancements, albeit leaving the goal of $1 per watt still far from reach, are also bringing a number of nations to review their financing of the industry. France and Germany slash their feed in tariffs, and China buys larger stakes in solar companies.

Roberto DolciChief Information Officer & Director Customer CareSYSTEM SPA

A fundamental difference in speed: company vs. consumer

December 16, 2009

Analysis of:The Axiom of Self-Segmentation | agoramedia.co.uk

Latest technologies and the Social Network phenomenon prove the feasibility of "real" one-to-one marketing.Amongst such technologies, semantic search and free access to self provided personal information allow for pinpoint accuracy in determining a consumer behavioral (and the consumption) pattern. Companies however are much slower than a single consumer in their "reasoning". Generation Y speed in changing their tastes has already highlighted problems with lead times in the fashion industry.

Roberto DolciChief Information Officer & Director Customer CareSYSTEM SPA

Of course we can but at what price ?

December 16, 2009

Analysis of:Can we go 100% renewable? | news.bbc.co.uk

This article describe a number of factors that suggest a difficult progress towards 100% renewable. Still, current developments in smart grid, safer nuclear reactors, large scale solar energy systems (i.e. Desertec) and more effective transportation of electricity over long distances, would suggest that we can sure go 100% over the next 15 years.However one should also consider the side effects of an ever increasing occupancy of areas and water resources for the production of renewable energy.

Michael SchiffFounder and Principal AnalystMAS Strategies

IBM's Acquisition of Guardium Augments its Information Management Portfolio

December 10, 2009

Analysis of:IBM buys database security firm Guardium | www.reuters.com

o With its acquisition of Guardium, IBM obtains augments its already strong information management technology portfolio. o Guardium's technology is used for protection and real-time monitoring of database access; it is useful for security and compliance purposes.o The acquisition provides further evidence of the on-going industry consolidation as well as IBM's willingness to acquire companies in order to obtain technology that complements its own information management capabilities.

Roberto DolciChief Information Officer & Director Customer CareSYSTEM SPA

Very frail recovery in Europe

December 1, 2009

Analysis of:Asia helps feeble West in global recovery: OECD | economictimes.indiatimes.com

The article suggests that Asian economies (I would include also Brazil and to some extent Russia) have a positive role in supporting West economies get of of recession.Unfortunately, that may hold true for US & Canada, but economies in Europe are now feeling the pinch of unemployment, and that is going to hurt.Countries where welfare and social aids have so far protected well their workers, can hardly bear the burden longer, specially if that is going to grow bigger.

Roberto DolciChief Information Officer & Director Customer CareSYSTEM SPA

Stormy weather ahead

November 5, 2009

Analysis of:A trip into the secret, online 'cloud' | edition.cnn.com

This article does a good job of explaining what cloud computing is to non IT professionals: a messy system of thousands of web servers scattered around the world..It may be interesting to get to know the where/when/how our data is managed, but that is not a crucial point.Likewise with financial scums, one should better worry about sloppy and fraudulent usage of the cloud, and prepare for the storm before it hits.

Roberto DolciChief Information Officer & Director Customer CareSYSTEM SPA

Solar companies need cut installation costs

November 4, 2009

Analysis of:Solar companies focus on nuts and bolts to cut costs | www.reuters.com

The article by Laura Insee correctly points out how cost cutting of solar panels is now focusing on the installation process. Much work has been done on the manufacturing process of the panel, and it is evident how further cost reduction is going to be way more difficult, law of diminishing returns.With 30% of the panels going to the residential market, building-integration should increase its market penetration.

Roberto DolciChief Information Officer & Director Customer CareSYSTEM SPA

Why should home prices drop ?

October 20, 2009

Analysis of:An Englishman's Home Is His Castle in the Air | online.wsj.com

This article, like others seen in international press, questions the reasons for home prices not to drop as per past forecasts.Homes in Europe, included Spain which is arguably the hardest hit from this crisis of the construction department, have not dropped in prices as much as initially foreseen. Drops normally range 8-10%, vis a vis a 30% tragic forecast of several months ago.Home prices do not drop simply because consumers look for low risk investments, and homes are quite safe.

Roberto DolciChief Information Officer & Director Customer CareSYSTEM SPA

Risks in zero pricing on-premises sw

October 20, 2009

Analysis of:Why On-Premises Business Software Vendors Should Give Their Products Away | marketing.infocat.com

The article by Mike Frichol correctly points out a number of market and economic factors that make the case for software vendors to give away their sw licences for free.As a customer I would argue that such option would be harder than expected to sell.Many corporate executives would soon come to the conclusion that there is no value in the licence. Hence such product should have no protection against copying, changing and modifying. Still better to pay a quid.