CFO.com: White Papers

IDC Brief: Cloud Computing in the Midmarket : Assessing the Options

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:41:00 GMT

You may be looking at cloud computing as a means to access IT resources that may not be affordable otherwise. Cloud solution options include public, private and hybrid models each of which offers its own benefits, cost model and risks. Read this analyst brief from IDC to learn about each of these models and discover how your organization can take advantage of them. The paper also looks at how organizations can integrate cloud solutions into existing infrastructures and how an incremental implementation approach might work. Finally the paper explains some principles for measuring the success of your cloud solutions.

IBM Cloud computing channel

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:41:00 GMT

Visit the IBM Cloud Computing channel for insight into the cloud computing world from IBM. View IBM customers explaining their experience with IBM cloud solutions. See IBM experts explain cloud computing technology and how IBM can help build successful cloud solutions.

From Crisis to Control: Full Command of the Financial Close

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:20:00 GMT

Automation can transform your financial close process from chaos to control, from a tactical obligation to a foundation for strategic financial decisions and leadership. Significant quantitative and qualitative benefits can be realized through an automated system that can serve as a unified platform for the efficient production of your financial information.

The Best-of-class Financial Systems Strategy: An Alternative to ERP Platforms

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:19:00 GMT

For better or worse, most companies have purchased financial software from large-scale enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform suppliers over the last decade. But as companies search for ways to lower costs and respond to a difficult business climate, the merits of implementing large-scale ERP platforms have come under closer scrutiny. This paper will examine an alternative approach that may be more appropriate and strategically sound for many companies: a best-of-class systems strategy.

Risk and The Dark Matter of IT: Minimize Your Spreadshseet Risk and Reap Financial Gains

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:20:00 GMT

Dark matter is the information that lies on the edge of the corporate information supply chain in end user computing (EUC) applications such as spreadsheets and databases.
This paper focuses on a proven approach to minimize EUC risk while delivering quantifiable financial benefits. Others who have taken this journey have experienced positive business outcomes through:
1.) Improved Business Efficiency
2.) Reduced Operational Losses
3.) Regulatory and Audit compliance

This executive benchmarking study provides a practical three-step framework to achieve high gain results by optimizing EUC processes. It is designed to help your organization build a compelling business case to implement a center of EUC excellence that turns the dark matter in your information supply chain embedded in Excel spreadsheets and Access Databases into tangible, measurable business opportunity.

"A Benchmarking Study by ClusterSeven and the Levin Institute for Corporate Executives"

Mitshubishi UHF Securities Reduces Spreadsheet Risk

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:19:00 GMT

The IBM Midmarket CFO Study: "The New Value Integrator."

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:42:00 GMT

The IBM Midmarket CFO Study: "The New Value Integrator" reveals how CFOs today are becoming Value Integrators by increasing finance speed, efficiency, and turning relevant information into valuable business insights, to maintain competitive advantage. Read this Midmarket CFO study and see how you can become a Value Integrator for your organization.

M&A Valuation: The New Normal

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:25:00 GMT

Boards are much more participative throughout the deal process and are demanding deeper levels of detail into the business case supporting the transaction and the valuation of targets. Recognizing the change in practices and providing clearer perspectives and detailed analysis of prospective transactions can position CFOs to advance future transactions more effectively and with greater confidence. CFOs and finance executives can play a proactive role in understanding the emerging considerations for deal valuation and anticipating the increased expectations of the board. A key to successfully realizing value from M&A transactions is valuation and today's boards are more involved than ever in the deal process. How can CFOs best prepare for the new normal? Read "M&A Valuation: The New Normal" for key considerations.

Storm Coming for Self-Funded, Multiemployer Health Plans

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:14:00 GMT

Strom Coming for Self-Funded Health Plans highlights 11 economic and legislative factors that are driving up the cost of self-funded employee health plans and offers advice on mitigating their impact. Although this white paper was written as an alert for multiemployer health plans, the finance departments in all self-insured corporations should be aware of and prepared for the cost increases, cost shifting and new costs that will result from financial pressures on healthcare providers, expanded dependent eligibility, the disparity between Medicare and Medicaid payments vs. payments made by commercial insurers, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 and seven other factors. This paper was developed by three health insurance industry veterans, David McSweeney, COO of Healthcare Data Management, Inc. (HDM), Barbara Niehus, FSA, a consulting actuary and David Ermer, Managing Partner, Ermer and Brownell, PLLC, Washington, D. C. Posted with the permission of Benefits Compensation...

Supplier-Side Economics: Making Vendor Relationships an Enduring Source of Competitive Advantage--A report prepared in collaboration with Emptoris

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:48:00 GMT

The economic downturn has brought new power to buyers in nearly all markets. But like every buyer's market, this one carries an expiration date. In recent years, companies have moved aggressively to negotiate savings, not just in their initial transactions but also throughout their relationships. And suppliers that donýt deliver value, meet milestones, and accept accountability for their performance have risked not being in business at all. In the name of "strategic sourcing," companies have tackled supplier inefficiencies in wave after wave, consolidating their supply bases through methods ranging from improved vendor selection to shrewd negotiation. In this survey of senior finance executives in the U.S. and U.K., CFO Research finds an opportunity for companies to improve their relationships with strategic suppliers.