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Presentation onSoftware Solution
Stacks
Anupam [email protected]
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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!