Business applications

At the heart of enterprise software strategy are the key business applications upon which every organisation relies. From enterprise resource planning (ERP) to customer relationship management (CRM), financial and accounts software to business intelligence (BI), such applications demand high investments and can deliver high returns. We analyse the latest product developments and the news from major suppliers such as Oracle, Microsoft and SAP.

News 01 Dec 2023
Post Office lawyer with his fingerprints all over IT scandal spreads blame

Senior Post Office criminal lawyer was just following orders and claims his only mistake was believing those that told him the Horizon system was robust Continue Reading
News 30 Nov 2023
Slow government response to Post Office scandal compensation forces new legislation

Subpostmasters who exposed widest miscarriage of justice in UK history still waiting for compensation after decades of fighting Continue Reading

News 05 Aug 2021

SAP customers more alert to internal than external threats

SAP customers are more concerned by insider threats than by external attacks, according to a report. And yet the average SAP customer has around 2,500 vulnerabilities within their customised SAP code Continue Reading
News 05 Aug 2021

BCS: more diverse workforce key to UK AI ethics global leadership

BCS report says the UK can take an international lead in AI ethics if it cultivates a more diverse workforce, including people from non-STEM backgrounds Continue Reading
News 05 Aug 2021

Unit4 doubles down on APAC business

Supplier of mid-market ERP systems Unit4 is investing in a research and development centre in Jakarta as part of efforts to win market share from established players Continue Reading
News 04 Aug 2021

Civil Service Data Challenge announces longlist of ideas to improve data use

Dragons’ Den-style Civil Service competition to elicit ideas to improve data use in government has whittled a list of 200 down to eight. Four will be chosen in December for delivery Continue Reading
News 04 Aug 2021

Fred IT replaces paper prescriptions with QR codes

Fred IT’s eRX Script Exchange is now used by 21,000 doctors and 95% of Australian pharmacies, delivering more than 11 million digital prescriptions by July 2021 Continue Reading
News 03 Aug 2021

Intel hails data analytics-powered GB Olympics swimming success

Intel has claimed its part in the GB swimming team’s Olympics success, with the analysis of ‘data pools’ and the use of its servers and workstations Continue Reading
Podcast 03 Aug 2021

DWP IR35 bill, women in tech – Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast

In this episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload, Caroline Donnelly, Clare McDonald and Brian McKenna speak about the DWP’s IR35 tax bill, the Most Influential Women in UK Technology, and company culture Continue Reading
News 03 Aug 2021

Executive interview: Chris McShane, MD, Halfords Mobile Experts

Cycling and motoring retailer Halfords has developed its own service management software, which it is now taking to market Continue Reading
News 02 Aug 2021

Building supply chain resilience with cloud ERP

Vallen Asia’s cloud enterprise resource planning system has enabled it to scale its operations across the region and made its supply chain operations more resilient amid the pandemic Continue Reading
News 30 Jul 2021

Government opens up SME digital support programme for suppliers

Help to Grow: Digital scheme aims to help small businesses access productivity-enhancing software, and suppliers are now encouraged to register as approved suppliers Continue Reading
News 28 Jul 2021

BEIS replaces Excel-based grant system with data management portal

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is replacing an Excel-based system for grant applications with a data management system built by Aiimi Continue Reading
News 28 Jul 2021

Microsoft results show demand for automation and AI

Microsoft’s Dynamics business has benefited from enterprises automating business processes and the connectivity with Teams Continue Reading
News 27 Jul 2021

Digital manufacturing industry gets £53m government funding boost

Money will be used to create five digital manufacturing research centres, a digital supply chain innovation hub and to fund 37 industry projects Continue Reading
News 27 Jul 2021

Standard Life Assurance uses IGEL to support home workers

Insurance company repurposed office-based PCs with IGEL OS to provide 4,500 users with remote desktop access Continue Reading
26 Jul 2021

How digital operations drive ERP modernisation

When it comes to modernising enterprise resource planning, IT decision-makers have a multitude of options. We look at what to consider when planning a modernisation project Continue Reading
Feature 26 Jul 2021

How digital operations drive ERP modernisation

When it comes to modernising enterprise resource planning, IT decision-makers have a multitude of options. We look at what to consider when planning a modernisation project Continue Reading
News 23 Jul 2021

SAS steps up free data skills programme for job seekers

SAS has expanded its free data skills for jobseekers’ programme, aiming it at people who have been adversely affected by the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic Continue Reading
News 23 Jul 2021

BCS, Royal Statistical Society, Alan Turing Institute combine to cement data science professionalism

BCS, the Royal Statistical Society and the Alan Turing Institute are combining to form an alliance to promote professional and ethical standards in data science Continue Reading
News 22 Jul 2021

UK government publishes full Innovation Strategy

Strategy aims to put the UK at the global forefront of science, research and innovation Continue Reading
News 22 Jul 2021

Government to fund interim compensation of up to £100,000 for each wrongly convicted subpostmaster

The government will pay interim compensation within weeks to subpostmasters who were wrongly convicted of crimes due to computer errors Continue Reading
Feature 21 Jul 2021

Five ways to ensure remote working security and compliance

A mix of on-site and remote working has become a fact of life for many organisations. We look at five key things you should consider to ensure compliance and security Continue Reading
News 21 Jul 2021

SAP Q2 2021: revenue down 1%, 600 new S/4 Hana signups

SAP has reported second-quarter 2021 revenue of €6.669bn, down 1% on the same year-ago quarter. Cloud revenue has increased by 11% to €2.276bn, just over one-third of the total, and 250 customers claimed for new Rise with SAP package in the quarter Continue Reading
News 21 Jul 2021

Interview: Chano Fernandez, co-CEO of Workday – a European co-helming a Californian enterprise

Chano Fernandez, co-CEO of Workday, explains how the company’s storied and humane employee culture needs constant tending, and looks forward to a post-Covid acceleration Continue Reading
News 21 Jul 2021

How IoT and machine learning are automating agriculture

A new generation of farmers is tapping the internet of things and machine learning to operate self-sustaining urban farms with minimal supervision Continue Reading
News 19 Jul 2021

SAP invests €250m in UK economy

Investment includes a new, UK-based cloud service, two new offices, and a beefing up of SAP’s apprenticeship and internship programmes Continue Reading
News 13 Jul 2021

Oracle’s Miranda advances customer wins against SAP for cloud applications suite

Steve Miranda, executive vice-president of applications development for Oracle globally, is showcasing three US customer wins against SAP at the supplier’s quarterly Oracle Live event Continue Reading
News 13 Jul 2021

Automation is key to digital transformation

Automation will enable IT teams to focus on driving transformative projects instead of supporting tasks that can be automated, says UiPath CEO Daniel Dines Continue Reading
News 12 Jul 2021

Taxpayers will have to pay at least £300m to bail out Post Office after scandal

The cost of a scheme set up to compensate subpostmasters who were victims of the Horizon IT scandal will exceed £300m even before damages are paid to all those who suffered Continue Reading
News 09 Jul 2021

Government commitment to Post Office Horizon victims was a ‘false promise’

The government has made no contact with subpostmasters two months after it said it would work with them to ensure they get speedy and fair compensation for their losses as a result of Post Office IT scandal Continue Reading
E-Zine 08 Jul 2021

CW Middle East: Pandemic speeds up edtech revolution in Gulf

One of the lessons the Covid-19 pandemic has taught governments across the world is that education providers can still teach when their premises are inaccessible. Read how organisations in the Gulf region’s education sector have been quick to adopt the latest education technology, known as edtech, to help in this endeavour. Also read in this issue how Indian IT services company TCS is bringing together universities, businesses, tech startups and government to work on sustainability challenges. Continue Reading
Feature 07 Jul 2021

Oracle Fusion cloud applications pathways tend towards pragmatic

Oracle’s full suite of cloud applications can be a pragmatic step-by-step journey for customers – we look at some examples Continue Reading
News 07 Jul 2021

Clara Shih, CEO, Salesforce Service Cloud on the shape of post-pandemic service work

Salesforce Service Cloud CEO Clara Shih has returned to the supplier after a period as a founder CEO and sees the future of contact centre and field service with relatively fresh eyes Continue Reading
News 07 Jul 2021

Forrester finds companies confounded by data deluge

A Dell-commissioned study by analyst firm Forrester finds organisations overwhelmed by mounds of data Continue Reading
Feature 06 Jul 2021

The beneficial (and frightening) implications of virtualising reality

The mingling of virtual and physical worlds promises many beneficial and entertaining applications, but there are also some truly worrisome implications of augmented reality Continue Reading
E-Zine 05 Jul 2021

Where to start with Windows 11

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at the new features on offer from Microsoft’s new version of its flagship operating system, Windows 11. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the trends in secure, agile app development. And we find out what you need to consider when buying a VPN. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 05 Jul 2021

Ordnance Survey Data Hub marks first anniversary with developer highlights

A year after its launch, the Ordnance Survey Data Hub is claiming a 50% increase in like-for-like downloads. The resource has proved its mettle during the Covid-19 pandemic for the London Ambulance Service and has benefited the National Library of Scotland Continue Reading
News 01 Jul 2021

Ten more former subpostmasters set to have wrongful convictions overturned

Another 10 subpostmasters are set to have their criminal convictions quashed as part of one of the biggest miscarriage of justice in British history Continue Reading
News 01 Jul 2021

SAP claims ‘huge momentum’ for Rise in APAC

A top SAP executive claims the region is leading the way in the ‘Rise with SAP’ cloud transformation programme which has been bolstered with modular cloud enterprise resource planning offerings Continue Reading
News 30 Jun 2021

Post-pandemic recovery drives NHS digitisation

NHS staff see a role for remote healthcare to enable the health service to keep up with increased demands, according to iGov survey Continue Reading
Photo Story 25 Jun 2021

Important LGBTQ+ figures who shaped tech’s history

As the world celebrates Pride month, we take a deep dive into the lives of some of the people who have shaped the technology we use today, who are also LGBTQ+. Continue Reading
News 24 Jun 2021

Online Safety Bill unfit for purpose, says new campaign group

Campaign group set up to oppose Online Safety Bill says the duty of care is too simplistic, cedes too much power to US corporations and will, in practice, privilege the speech of journalists or politicians Continue Reading
News 24 Jun 2021

Salesforce declares AWS partnership to enable intelligent applications

Salesforce and Amazon Web Services have declared a ‘strategic partnership’ that is claimed to enable the easier creation of artificial intelligence-infused applications Continue Reading
Feature 23 Jun 2021

Real-time analytics begins to find business vocation

Continuous real-time analytics, operating at sub-second speed, are finding real-world applicability across industry sectors, such as retail, transport and banking. Their value crux: can businesses act on the signals provided? Continue Reading
News 23 Jun 2021

DataStax eyes growth in APAC

DataStax opens regional headquarters in Singapore to tap the growth opportunities in Asia-Pacific where more organisations are modernising legacy systems and building cloud-native apps Continue Reading
E-Zine 22 Jun 2021

A new three-year plan for digital government

In this week’s Computer Weekly, the new CEO of the Gov-ernment Digital Service, Tom Read, explains his three-year strategy for improving online public services. EU attempts to regulate AI are under fire – we examine the issues. And we find out how Bupa is turning to the cloud to deliver per-sonalised healthcare. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 22 Jun 2021

Inside Macquarie Bank’s data transformation journey

Australia’s Macquarie Bank has moved all its data and analytics to the cloud and is applying machine learning to detect fraud and improve customer experience Continue Reading
News 21 Jun 2021

Post Office pays 400 subpostmasters compensation for losses caused by computer errors

The Post Office has so far compensated 400 subpostmasters who suffered losses because of errors in the organisation’s Horizon computer system Continue Reading
News 21 Jun 2021

New lab to bolster Singapore’s Industry 4.0 capabilities

Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research teams up with local manufacturing software company to make Industry 4.0 capabilities more accessible to manufacturers Continue Reading
News 18 Jun 2021

UK taskforce calls for cutting GDPR protections

The UK’s Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform has recommended scrapping safeguards against automated decision-making contained in the General Data Protection Regulation Continue Reading
News 16 Jun 2021

Matt Hancock at CogX: ‘Huge opportunities’ ahead to exploit health data

Health secretary tells CogX 2021 conference in London that huge opportunities lie ahead in the application of analytics to pseudonymised patient data Continue Reading
News 15 Jun 2021

Oliver Dowden hails Tech Zero Taskforce at CogX

Government backs a group of UK tech companies and associations to combat the climate emergency, drive green investment and help consumers make greener choices Continue Reading
E-Zine 15 Jun 2021

Discovering great ideas – innovation at the Discovery Channel

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to the owner of the Discovery Channel about how collaboration software enabled a culture of innovation. Our latest buyer’s guide looks at developments in cloud printing technology. And we hear from the technology chief at Rightmove about the online property site’s digital transformation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 15 Jun 2021

How healthcare organisations are tapping data analytics

Healthcare providers are harnessing data analytics to improve clinical and operational outcomes even as they continue to face challenges in data aggregation and data protection Continue Reading
News 11 Jun 2021

CIO interview: John Hunter of Council of Europe takes cloud route to document management

John Hunter, CIO of the Council of Europe, describes how his team has modernised the human rights organisation’s document management in the cloud Continue Reading
E-Zine 10 Jun 2021

CW Europe: Amsterdam reins back datacentre developments over environmental concern

The construction of datacentres in the Netherlands’ Amsterdam region has accelerated at such a pace that their demands for electricity are causing concern, prompting city authorities and datacentre operators to open a dialogue about sustainable datacentre industry expansion. Also in this issue, find out the state of play in the adoption of open banking across Europe. Continue Reading
Feature 09 Jun 2021

Covid-accelerated recruitment digitisation to gain sophistication with hybrid models

Recruitment has had to go remote and digital during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis and looks set to fill out and become more sophisticated as hybrid models of working emerge Continue Reading
News 09 Jun 2021

Cisco reveals new Webex to power ‘inclusive’ future of work

Collaboration suite has new look and feel, and supports hybrid work collaboration at what is claimed to be 40% lower cost than à-la-carte systems Continue Reading
News 08 Jun 2021

Did government allow Post Office to sack forensic accountants to cover up Horizon scandal?

Whatever the Post Office told government about its decision to sack investigators examining subpostmaster prosecutions for theft could identify if the government was part of a cover-up Continue Reading
News 08 Jun 2021

Oracle and Crown Commercial Service renew MoU to continue cloud use

Oracle and the UK government’s Crown Commercial Service have renewed a memorandum of understanding for the continued use of the supplier’s cloud infrastructure and applications Continue Reading
Blog Post 07 Jun 2021

The allure of the log-in-anywhere desktop

We humans are suckers for immediacy. Once we realise it is possible to not to have to wait – and that we have the power to make it happen – then to paraphrase Freddie Mercury, it’s “I want it here, ... Continue Reading
News 07 Jun 2021

EC launches digital identity framework

The European digital identity will be available to citizens, residents and businesses across the EU, and member states will offer digital identity wallets on a national level Continue Reading
News 07 Jun 2021

Updated standard contractual clauses will provide ‘legal certainty’ for transfer of data

Organisations have 18 months to update data transfer agreements, known as standard contractual clauses, or SCCs, to continue sharing data outside the European Union Continue Reading
News 07 Jun 2021

BT claims £2m in savings with Qlik data analytics

BT claims it has secured £2m in cost savings by putting Qlik data analytics in the hands of 1,200 members of staff in its Consumer business Continue Reading
News 03 Jun 2021

Sapphire 2021: Klein vaunts rebooted Ariba business network as sustainability driver

At the virtual Sapphire 2021 conference, SAP CEO Christian Klein trumpeted the supplier’s procurement network, Ariba, as the core of a revamped global engine for promoting sustainable economic growth Continue Reading
Opinion 02 Jun 2021

Can we rely on AI?

As artificial intelligence comes increasingly to bear on human lives, how ought we to address social and ethical concerns? Is a tighter symbiosis between human systems and AI systems the way forward? Continue Reading
News 01 Jun 2021

Post Office scandal public inquiry finally begins after chances to address problems were ignored

The Post Office Horizon scandal inquiry begins with subpostmaster campaign group waiting for full details before committing its support Continue Reading
News 31 May 2021

Great Eastern doubles down on data analytics

Singapore insurer Great Eastern has started a centre of excellence to drive adoption of data analytics and hone its capabilities in data governance and data engineering Continue Reading
News 27 May 2021

Singapore deploys drones to monitor reservoir water quality

Singapore’s national water agency PUB is deploying autonomous drones at six reservoirs to monitor water quality and other activities to improve operational efficiency Continue Reading
News 26 May 2021

Databricks unveils data sharing protocol as part of data lakehouse

Databricks announces launch of open source project called Delta Sharing at Data + AI Summit, with backing of data providers and business intelligence tool suppliers Continue Reading
News 26 May 2021

Build 2021: Code abstraction and automatic code generation

Microsoft’s annual software developers’ event, Build, opened up with the company’s CEO painting a picture of opportunity for software developers Continue Reading
News 26 May 2021

Disabled travellers promised better train journeys by Passenger Assistance app

An app developed by UK startup Transreport for the Rail Delivery Group aims to improve train travel for disabled passengers Continue Reading
News 26 May 2021

‘It's a good day when we refer a case,’ CCRC tells MPs during review of Post Office prosecutions

Criminal Cases Review Commission will not allow pressure on its resources to prevent subpostmasters seeking a review of their criminal convictions Continue Reading
News 24 May 2021

Melbourne taps AI to ease traffic congestion

University of Melbourne has teamed up with public and private sector organisations to build an AI application that can predict traffic congestion up to three hours ahead Continue Reading
News 21 May 2021

Alibaba taps machine learning to digitise Chinese classics

Alibaba’s research arm Damo Academy has developed a machine learning model to convert scanned pages of ancient Chinese classics into text Continue Reading
Feature 20 May 2021

What digital transformation means for data storage

We survey the key planks of digital transformation and look at the storage technologies emerging to support it, such as NVMe and QLC flash, hyper-converged infrastructure and cloud storage Continue Reading
News 20 May 2021

Subpostmaster campaign group to meet Post Office scandal inquiry chair

The subpostmaster campaign group JFSA refused to cooperate with initial inquiry because it ‘lacked teeth’, but is now willing to talk after it was put on a statutory footing Continue Reading
News 18 May 2021

Post Office Horizon inquiry set to be given statutory status with wider powers

The government inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal is set to be made statutory with the power to call witnesses under oath and compel provision of evidence Continue Reading
News 18 May 2021

Government response to National Data Strategy consultation depicts data as ‘asset, not threat’

Government responds to consultation with a promise of delivery, putting an emphasis on data as an asset, not a threat, and finding respondents keen on levelling up Continue Reading
News 18 May 2021

Irish High Court dismisses legal bid by Facebook over EU-US data transfers

Latest twist in long-running legal battle sees Facebook lose legal bid to prevent the Irish Data Protection Commissioner suspending its transfer of data about European citizens to the US Continue Reading
News 18 May 2021

Australian budget lends support to digital economy

Australia’s A$1.2bn Digital Economy Strategy ticks most of the right boxes, but some industry experts say areas such as broadband infrastructure and artificial intelligence are still underfunded Continue Reading
E-Zine 18 May 2021

The real-life consequences of ransomware attacks

In this week’s Computer Weekly, after a ransomware attack shut a major US oil pipeline, we examine the real-life consequences for organisations facing similar threats. We ask the experts for their top tips in reducing datacentre running costs. And we hear how data science skills are helping government make better decisions. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 17 May 2021

Oxford University uses Oracle Cloud to speed up analysis of Covid-19 variants

The University of Oxford is availing itself of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure in the genomic sequencing and analysis of SARS-CoV-2, in part to identify new Covid-19 variants Continue Reading
News 14 May 2021

More former subpostmasters have criminal convictions quashed

Two former subpostmasters pushed to the brink of suicide after being convicted for financial crimes finally have their names cleared Continue Reading
E-Zine 13 May 2021

CW Benelux: Netherlands university launches centre of expertise in applied AI

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences has launched a centre of expertise in applied artificial intelligence, and students from all faculties of the university will learn how to apply AI in their field of study. Also in this issue, read why a training ‘roadmap’ is needed to get Netherlands police officers up to speed with tackling cyber crime. Continue Reading
News 12 May 2021

Fujitsu bags £3bn in public sector contracts while software errors wreck the lives of subpostmasters

The supplier at the centre of the Post Office Horizon scandal has so far escaped the ramifications of its role in the biggest miscarriage of justice in UK history Continue Reading
News 12 May 2021

Engineering firm Briggs of Burton maps global expansion with SAP’s Rise service

Briggs of Burton, an engineering firm that makes hygienic equipment for drinks, food and pharmaceutical companies, has chosen SAP’s Rise service to guide its global expansion, initially in China Continue Reading
Opinion 11 May 2021

Why the Post Office Horizon scandal kept me awake at night

Reverend Richard Coles tells Computer Weekly why there needs to be a statutory public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal Continue Reading
News 11 May 2021

How the British Red Cross harnessed digital mapping honed abroad for the domestic Covid-19 crisis

The British Red Cross and the Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership have been putting digital mapping to work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to help match human needs to local organisations Continue Reading
E-Zine 11 May 2021

Chip supply shortages are hitting hard

In this week’s Computer Weekly, a shortage of semiconductors is affecting industries beyond just IT – we examine the implications. We talk to the CIO of pharmacy chain Boots about how tech helped in being an essential retailer during lockdown. And we look at the prospects for young people entering the IT sector post-pandemic. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 10 May 2021

Miscarriages of justice are the potent tip of Post Office scandal

The miscarriages of justice involving subpostmasters are the most disturbing element of the Post Office Horizon scandal – but it goes much deeper Continue Reading
News 07 May 2021

Post Office contacts over 500 subpostmasters potentially wrongly prosecuted for financial crimes

The Post Office has contacted hundreds of people it might have wrongly prosecuted for financial crimes Continue Reading
News 07 May 2021

Monmouthshire County Council digitises HR with Zellis cloud

Monmouthshire County Council is using a cloud HR system from Zellis as part of its digital transformation programme, aimed at being lean and agile Continue Reading
News 07 May 2021

Minister promises ‘fair and speedy’ compensation for 555 subpostmasters who defeated Post Office

Government says it wants to ensure a fair pay-out for the 555 subpostmasters who defeated the Post Office in a legal battle but were then excluded from the resulting compensation scheme Continue Reading
News 06 May 2021

Premier League promotes football analytics with Oracle Cloud

From season 2021-22, the Premier League will provide in-match statistics and analysis for fans, made possible by Oracle Cloud Continue Reading
News 06 May 2021

Wipro’s AI platform to improve vaccine safety

Wipro is partnering a stem cell technology firm on the use of its Holmes artificial intelligence platform to help researchers ascertain the safety and potency of vaccines Continue Reading
News 05 May 2021

Interview: ONS data science chief Tom Smith on government data capability

The managing director of the Office of National Statistics’ Data Science Campus, Tom Smith, describes the organisation’s data capability building activities for and across government Continue Reading
News 05 May 2021

Cambridge scale-up company Eagle Genomics expands in India

UK data analytics life sciences-focused scale-up company Eagle Genomics announces Indian expansion to coincide with government declaration of UK-India trade partnership Continue Reading
News 05 May 2021

Post Office dishonesty in Horizon scandal is reason enough for statutory public inquiry

Subpostmasters, MPs and the public call for a full statutory judge-led public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal, following another damning court judgment Continue Reading
News 05 May 2021

Executive interview: Juergen Mueller on SAP’s tech strategy

SAP CTO Juergen Mueller offers a glimpse into the company’s thinking around delivering business applications as microservices, among other areas and updates in its technology strategy Continue Reading
Feature 05 May 2021

Deploying productivity monitoring software ethically

While software that tracks the activities of staff can be helpful to companies with a remote workforce, managers must consider employees’ concerns and privacy Continue Reading