In February's edition of our newsletter, Jetstream Monthly, we focused on the concept of “Mission Critical,” which is defined as an essential activity, device or system that, when missing or disrupted, causes a failure in operations. While it’s a phrase that is frequently used in the boardroom, nowhere is it more aptly used than in the military, where Mission Critical failures can result in breaches in national security or lost lives. Similarly, our communities rely on emergency services to be prompt, efficient and to have what they need on hand to respond at a moment’s notice; a Mission Critical failure, either through missing equipment or lacking information, tends to make the evening news.

Nearly 60 percent of respondents in a new study say their T&E spending has gone up in the past three years, and more are opting for a fully automated approach to travel and expense management to track dollars and ensure compliance.

It’s been about eight months since the initial release of Windows 8, and yet, it is still struggling to gain traction in the business world. Although Microsoft has claimed to have sold 100 million units, based on a May estimate (Source: Reuters), sales are still not reaching intended values as even Vista has outsold Windows 8 in a side-by-side comparison of sales through eight months (Source: ZDnet). Much like Vista, Windows 8 was met with subpar reviews, which drove most Windows users to stick with the time-tested Windows XP. Fast forward five years, and a similar phenomenon is occurring; users prefer the proven Windows 7 over the modernized Windows 8. On the surface, the specs for Windows 8 look impressive; the OS runs utilizes RAM more efficiently, improved multitasking, many of the systems applications have been completely overhauled which led to faster, more effective performance, many lower-end machines can run it due to the low requirements, and the decreased start up time, to name a few of the upgrades. With all of these improvements, why are people still reluctant to change? I’ve used Windows 8 since its release and have followed the development very closely, and subsequently, here are some of the most common complaints with the new Windows OS that I have noticed.

It is no secret that in today’s age, a successful business is only as good as the technology it employs.  This principle especially holds true in the retail sector of the market. This portion of the market is dominated by companies such as Wal-Mart for general retail, Best Buy for electronics, and Dick’s Sporting Goods for all types of sports gear; just to name a few. All these companies share a similar quality; they each have distribution centers that handle inventory for them. These distribution centers are in charge of making sure each store within the region is properly stocked with the correct inventory, based off of the consumer demand present in the market. Because of this, warehouse management software is becoming increasingly popular due to the importance of tracking shipments and inventory. Each of these companies must manage how much inventory they order from the supplier, how much they need to ship to the actual stores, how much stock the store has, and how much to ship when stock runs out. This is where automated Warehouse Management Systems, or WMS for short, comes into play.

A new exhibit opened recently at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., that highlights the deep inroads in improving tracking technology and systems in the first responder space.

The executives at Macy’s are doing something right. The department store chain seems to post record profits every quarter. According to Forbes last week, “Macy’s is the Anti-J.C. Penney,” “immensely profitable and smartly run.” Every time you check the business wire, there they are again, being hailed as an innovator in X, Y or Z.

It’s well known that businesses are vulnerable to mischief by cyber criminals. Hack attacks can be – and have been – reputation killers when lax procedures allowed customer data to be stolen. And, they have turned into a competitive issue when sensitive data was lifted. Increasingly, however, the risk is threatening to affect operations. Imagine the chaos if a cyber attack disrupts supply chain management, especially in a chain with global reach.

Memorial day is approaching this Monday and we at Apptricity just want to take a moment to pay tribute to all those who have fought and died in service to our country. Apptricity works extensively with the U.S. Military and is proud to support their operations worldwide. Our thoughts and prayers will be with our nation’s troops and veterans as we reflect on the service and sacrifice of these heroes.

A new survey confirms that business leaders around the world are focused on efficiencies in supply chain management as a key to competitive advantage in an ever more interconnected global marketplace.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough once called history, “a guide to navigation in perilous times.” Many lesser men have said, somewhat less famously: “There’s nothing new under the sun.”