QuickBase & SharePoint Head-to-Head
November 6, 2014 By
Most enterprises support a variety of platform technologies to solve a range of IT System needs. Microsoft SharePoint and Intuit QuickBase are deployed in various capacities in the majority of Fortune 100 companies. Each of these toolkits provide very different capabilities for solving sometimes relatively similar challenges. The wise business leader will understand the strengths of each technology and when to best deploy.
[Read more...]
Business Success: How Quickly We Forget
November 4, 2014 By
Have you thought of starting a business? Chances are you’ve picked up a help book somewhere along the line, you’ll recognise the type… “Business for Dummies”, “The Entrepreneur’s Manual”, “The Salesman’s Bible”, that sort of thing. Now, if you’ve gone the whole hog and actually started a company, these books are probably languishing in a dusty corner of the house. Their usefulness confined to those times when this precise thought floats through your mind: “you know what, that’ll do”. [Read more...]
Lifehacking Quickbase: Productivity Hacks and Shortcuts
November 3, 2014 By
Given that we live in a TLDR world, I thought it’d be nice to write an easy to skim list of how-to’s. These are tips that can make the QuickBase experience a bit more manageable, either as a user or a developer.
[Read more...]
A Disney Inspiration: Small Business Leadership vs. Management
October 30, 2014 By
With a three year-old and a two year-old, I find myself reliving the numerous Disney movies that most of us grew up with. Whilst having the theme songs from movies such as Cinderella and Snow White stuck in my head, I couldn’t help but ponder the following line from one of my little girl’s favorites… [Read more...]
Project Management, Lessons from the Trenches: Honest Relationships
October 28, 2014 By
When I’m assigned a project for a new client, it’s pretty obvious where the start is, go introduce myself to the client, explain to them what I’m there to do and start an ‘honest relationship’ with them. [Read more...]
Enterprise Content Management vs. Data Driven Platforms vs. Business Process Management Systems
October 27, 2014 By
When evaluating technical options for solving complex information and business process needs it’s important to understand the underlying strengths and assumptions of various types of systems.
We see the available tools fitting into three main categories though many existing technologies cross boundaries and support more than one capability:
Enterprise Content Management (ECM)
ECM focuses on storage, security and lifecycle of document files primarily. ECM systems tend to best support document-based processes where records of activities are stored as files and are often handled both physically and electronically. Alfresco, OpenText and Sharepoint are all examples of ECM with varying capabilities.
Data Driven Platforms (DDP)
DDP is a class of application focused on managing relational data through the management of web-based forms, reports and highly granular security. DDP applications tend to focus on higher volumes of activity and records stored as data. Intuit QuickBase, Intalio|Create and Microsoft Dynamics are leading players on DDP.
Business Process Management Systems (BPMS)
BPMS manage work through orchestration of human and machine activities according to a standards-based system (BPMN 2.0). BPMS have traditionally focused on driving consistent execution of work and track completion of activities as the primary focus and may be workflow systems as opposed to strictly standards-compliant. Intalio|BPMS, Lombardi and K2 are examples of these tools.
How do I know what system type is right for me?
Most enterprise technologies today provide capabilities across the spectrum but focus on one strength with less capability in others. For example, Sharepoint is undeniably strong at document handling while providing an acceptable degree of workflow and very limited data-driven capability without a high degree of customization. On the other hand, Intalio|Create offers a best in class data management capability with a strong BPMS engine but relatively limited features for ECM.
These key scenarios might help determine a starting point for evaluation.
|
ECM |
DDP |
BPMS |
|
| My operation uses paper or document forms and routes them to get the job done |
Top Choice |
Second Choice |
Third Choice |
| We’re tracking of a lot of data on spreadsheets today |
Third Choice |
Top Choice |
Second Choice |
| Most important is that we follow a structured set of steps, get signoffs and know where we are at in the process |
Second Choice |
Third Choice |
Top Choice |
Each of the technical options outlined in the above diagram have their strengths and weaknesses. Many of the technologies we work with today are crossing boundaries and are suitable solutions for a variety of complex business processes. To find out more about how to solve your unique business needs, contact MCFTech today.
Audio Management and Quality in a Virtual Organization
October 22, 2014 By
Getting on a meeting or phone call and having a conversation … such a simple thing, right? Well, even the simplest things can have a pretty big impact. What if all of your workers are remote… working from home with the regular interferences that come along with that? Barking dogs, screaming kids, vacuuming, etc. Now the issues become even more prevalent. What about using a headset with your computer, hopping on a Lync or Fuze meeting, and not knowing which one of your microphones is set as your default audio device? Just another set of challenges for, what seems to be, such a simple topic. [Read more...]
Managing Project Cutovers Effectively
October 21, 2014 By
The development is all done; Systems Integration Testing (SIT) and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) have been completed successfully. Your developers can now breathe easy. You have put in a great amount of rigor to make sure all the milestones were completed successfully and with Quality. The job’s as good as done. Just the project cutover is left. That’s pretty straightforward. How bad can it be, now that everything else is completed!? [Read more...]
Keeping the Scope Creep at Bay
October 8, 2014 By
Technology moves at a fast pace, but will never be able to keep up with the human mind. After all, even technology takes a break once in a while. It comes as no surprise that timelines, scope, and other such project attributes often expand and even contract from time to time. So the challenge, of course, becomes how can we communicate difficult topics while maintaining cohesion within the project team? And what can we do to plan ahead to avoid potential pitfalls? [Read more...]
QuickBase Tasks You Can Do Yourself
October 2, 2014 By
Maintaining your QuickBase application is a lot like maintaining a house. There are big projects where it would make sense for you to hire outside help, but there are a lot of little things you can DIY a lot easier than you would think. I wouldn’t want to install an HVAC system, just the same as most of our clients probably wouldn’t want to write a SOAP web service for their mission critical Project Management system. However, changing air filters, or checking key QuickBase metrics is something we can all do with a little guidance. [Read more...]
