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Presentation onSoftware Solution

Stacks

Anupam Guptaanup.gupt@live.com

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Agenda

1. Software Solution Stack

1. Components of the Software Solution Stack

1. Software Solution Stack : Advantage/ Pitfalls

1. Popular Stacks and Vendor Comparison

1. Stack Wars!

1. Decision Making with Stacks

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A software solution stack is a set

of software subsystems orcomponents needed to deliver afully functional solution, e.g. a

product or service.

Software Solution Stacks

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Components of the Software Solution Stacks

A Server usually is a physical hardware system or a software programdedicated to running one or more such services (as a host),to serve thecomputing requests of users of the other computers on the network.

Application software is computer software designed to help the user toperform specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting

software, office suites, graphics software and media players etc.

A Data Storage is the component for recording (storing) and retrieval ofinformation (data).

An Operating System (OS) is a set of programs that manages computerhardware resources, and provides common services for application software.

The OS also acts as an intermediary between application programs and thecomputer hardware

Database - Organized collection of data in digital form.Data Warehouse is a database used for reporting and analysisDatabase Management Systems (DBMS) is a software package with

computer programs that control the creation, maintenance, and the use of adatabase.

Middleware is computer software that connects software components or peopleand their applications. It is integral to modern information technology based onXML, Web services, and service-oriented architectures.

The Virtual Machine (VM) is an emulator for software (typically Operatingsystems) of different vendors on the host machines. The VM provides for interoperating systems (guest OS and Host OS) communication.

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Operating System (OS)

Database Management Systems(DBMS)

Database Database Database

VirtualMachine

ERP CRM,Document

Management

System

OfficeSuites

BusinessIntelligen

ce

Web layer / Service Oriented Architecture*

Components of the Software Solution Stacks in a systemarchitecture view

Storage

Systems

Middle wareSoftware for

communicationbetween

applications and theOS e.g. Protocols

and Messaging

systems

* Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) is a set of principles and methodologies for designing anddeveloping software in the form of interoperable services.

Applications Suites

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Aspect Advantage

Manageability Complex IT systems are better managed if asingle point-of-view can be delivered by the Stack

Upgrade Software upgrade in one go Reduces the testing and production integration

cycle

OptimizedPerformance/Inter-operability

Unified messaging/ Objects provide for uniformcommunication within the stack leading to anoptimized performance.

Better Load distribution for computing

Security All elements of the stack can be secured by aunified protocol; hence reducing cost of security

Scalability

System scalability is a must have feature forrapidly growing IT needs.

System upscaling

Load distribution protocols available; resulting insmooth system up scaling

Economies ofScale

Cost reduction on upgrades and bulk pricingbenefits

Solution Stacks The Advantage

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Aspect Pitfall

Concentration Risk All Eggs in one basket problem!

Security

If the system security is compromised; the entirestack is at a threat

Technologylaggard

Investment in stack is of a long term nature. If thevendor is not progressive in future technologies;the company is devoided of technologicalprogress

Monopolisticattitude of theVendor

Vendor gets to understand the concentration riskand starts asking for a premium on his services.

Inter-Operability Restricted communication with other systems

Protocol A much needed new advanced system (otherthan the stack) which needs to be integrated

might not have sufficient technical protocolsavailable to integrate to the stack

Price Price for a single software out of the vendor stacksystem would be at a premium.

Solution Stacks The Pitfall

Stacks are all about packaging. Stacks will be assembled and shippedtogether (presumably), which could make things easier if your goal is to

streamline receiving.

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Popular Stacks ERP Perspective*

Leading Companies offering Software Solution Stack

Stack Component Oracle Microsoft SAP

Application

ERP Oracle Business Suites,People Soft, JD Edwards

MS Dynamics AX, MSDynamics (NAV)

SAP All in One

CRM Seibel MS Dynamics CRM SAP CRM

BusinessReporting

Hyperion MS SQL Server , MS OfficeSuite

SAP Business Objects,Crystal Reports

Middle Ware Web logic Server, JavaEnterprise Edition, XML

SharePoint Server, XML SAP NetWeaver

Database Database Database 11g Access SybaseDatawarehouse

Oracle Business IntelligenceSolution Warehouse

Microsoft Data Warehouse SAP NetWeaver BW

DBMS Oracle DBMS (PL/SQL) MS SQL Server Sybase

Operating System Solaris (Sun), EnterpriseLinux

Windows 7, Windows NT Not Offered

Virtual Machines Oracle VM Servers Microsoft Virtual PC Not Offered

Servers SPARC, X86 SharePoint Server, WindowsServer

SAP NetWeaverSAP Integration Server

Storage Oracle Sun Storage Arrays,StorageTek Systems

Windows Storage Server NET APP, IBM (Partners)

Development

Platform / Tools

Oracle Developer Suite .NET, MS Visual Studio SAP NetWeaver, ABAP

*The Software mentioned below are owned by the Leading Companies. The table does not comment about the inter-operability of components of one-stack with the components of any other stack.

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Popular Stacks Vendor Comparison (1)

Leading Companies offering Software Solution Stack

Stack Component Oracle Microsoft SAP

Application

ERP Bundled ERP system Industry Leader 60 % ERPimplementation in Europeand North America

CRM Extremely Popular Industry Leader

BusinessReporting

Hyperion an easy to use andacceptable software

Industry Leader - OfficeSuite

Business Objects an easy touse and widely acceptablesoftware

Middle Ware Second to IBM Easy to use, Most flexibleand the most intuitive GUI

Efficient but SAP specific

Database Database Oracle 11g is the Industryleader

Access and MS SQL serverare extremely popular andeasy to use. Lacks veryadvanced features.

Datawarehouse

Comprehensive warehouse Industry leader in ERP datawarehousing

DBMS Industry Leader - Mostpopular

Extremely Popular

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Popular Stacks Vendor Comparison (2)

Leading Companies offering Software Solution Stack

Stack Component Oracle Microsoft SAP

Operating System Industry Leader for High endcomputing Extremely popular inBusiness Native connectivity topopular databases

Virtual Machines Robust VM ware Not scalable to enterpriselevel

Servers Industry Leader for High endcomputing

Extremely popular in Low tomedium grade businesses

Efficient but SAP specific

Storage Industry leaders next to IBM

DevelopmentPlatform / Tools

Popular Extremely Popular

Overall Comparison

Industry Leader in

most of the Stackcomponents exceptfor ERP software.

ERP software andthe Stack is madeby acquisition ofcompanies.

Stack intra-

operability issueshave been widely

Most Interactive

GUI*. Easy toIntegrate andconfigure.

Popular MS GUI forend user.

Stack Security isnot robust.

Industry leaders in

ERP technology. Very scalable ERPsoftware and thebest integrated ERPmodules.

Robust Nativeconnectivity** toalmost all

Databases andOperating Systems

GUI Graphical User Interface. The users view of the system.** Native Connectivity -- Can use all the features of the Database and OS to which it is connected

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Stack Wars

Companies since the last 10 years are in a mad rushto have a presence in all the components in thestack. The companies foresee a long term advantagein investing in Stacks.

However; there have been innumerable reports ofteething problems due to inter-operability issueswith the stack and the acquired software.

Major Acquisitions in the last decade

Oracles acquisition of Sun Solaris (2010) to enter OS market Oracles acquisition of PeopleSoft (2005) who acquired JD Edwards to

enter ERP for HR Oracles acquisition of Hyperion (2007) to get into Business Intelligence

space SAP buys out Business Objects (2007) to get into Business Intelligence

space

IBM buys out Cognos and SPSS (2008) to get into Business Intelligencespace

Microsoft bought Navision A/S (2002) to go with its previous acquisitionof Great Plains to enter ERP space.

Better Stack management can be achieved through

Unified Configuration Management Unification of communication protocols open standards

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Decision Making with Stacks : A Discussion

Economies of Scale

Number of Silo Systems already present in the organization

Frequency of upgrade and System up scaling

Technological Prowess within the Organization

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Coming together is a beginning, staying togetheris progress, and working together is success.

-Henry Ford

Lets Discuss!

Thank You!