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We first spoke with Brian Trout who has over 10 years experience working in SAP staffing. He has been with B2B Workforce since the company's inception, and has numerous long-standing relationships within both our consultant and client bases. His deep knowledge within the SAP consulting arena stems from hands-on experience in the recruiting, sales, and most recently, delivery and management areas of our company.
B2B Workforce: Brain, what have been the major areas for you this year within B2B's SAP Delivery organization.
Brian: One focus has been to continue to provide customers with solutions for incremental enhancements and new rollouts of SAP ERP solutions from B2B., I have also concentrated on supporting our clients with the development of the vision, strategy, and tactical plan to evolve their SAP ecosystem to create a flexible ESA (Enterprise Service Architecture). This flexible ESA is based on SAP's NetWeaver stack and extended mySAP Business Suite applications. Specific B2B solution offerings include large volume managed project staffing, SAP NetWeaver architecture assessments, SAP BI solution scoping for SEM based planning/corporate governance metrics as well as HR Workforce Analytics, and remote specification/application development/support.
B2B Workforce: What do you see as the most prevalent trends within the SAP market?
Brian: Demand for SAP product solutions and subsequent implementation support remains strong overall and has been steadily increasing in Q3 & Q4. Observable trends in product/solution interest include: SAP NetWeaver MDM, Specialized Security Solutions - Integrated R/3, BW and Portal, SAP Solution Manager 4.0 support, CRM 5.0, Netweaver 2004S architecture upgrade/installation, and HCM Portal Solutions - eRecruitment/ESS/MSS.
B2B Workforce: From an overall perspective what do you see as B2B's biggest successes this year within the SAP Practice?
Brian: B2B has continued to expand our tactical practice relationships this year with IBM, Accenture, Bearing Point & SAP America.
B2B Workforce: What do you see as some of the key wins through those clients?
Brian: Within IBM, B2B continues to be a critical solution provider to IBM's largest Industry Sector customers including Detroit Edison, Newell Rubbermaid, Pacific Gas & Electric. B2B has also proven to be one of Accenture's only top tier suppliers through our support across their GBS practice for major accounts such as Chico's, Computer Associates, Microsoft, Shell & Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. As an example, B2B's solution practice has provided project oversight & resources and led the successful go-live of the SAP BI solution for the Chico's ECC IS-Retail implementation. Also, during 2006 B2B has been elevated to the status of one of only 4 Premiere Partners with SAP America. We are working on an unprecedented strategic and tactical level with SAP Professional Services to bolster SAP America's solution delivery capabilities to customers across the U.S. Both the B2B Staffing and Solutions business operations have added significant value to SAP's existing client base. We have also assisted SAP with the scoping and introduction of new account growth opportunities by leveraging our jumpstart tools and expert level solution architects.
B2B Workforce: Well, it seems that B2B has seen quite a bit of success in the SAP space this year. Do you see any possible threats to the company's position in the market?
Brian: Actually, SAP's continued heavy investment in new product develop and it's current position as a global market leader in enterprise software solutions should continue to provide steady market demand for B2B's services for the foreseeable future. Of course B2B remains exposed to typical market forces that are beyond our control - Global Economic Slowdown, possible effects from Terrorism etc.
Next, we spoke with Jeff Lewis our SAP Delivery Manager focusing on SAP America, Bearingpoint and Convergys.
B2B Workforce: Jeff, I keep hearing that the SAP marketplace is extremely hot right now. Is there any truth to that?
Jeff: Unconventionally, SAP has not slowed down at all. The trends have focused heavily on all things NetWeaver, CRM, Technical (ABAP/BASIS) and core R/3 (HR,MM,PP,SD,FI,CO). Fortunately, it looks like not much is cooling down in the SAP consulting world right now.
B2B Workforce: Do you see any particular skill-sets within SAP providing more opportunities for consultants than others?
Jeff: There are opportunities across the board - especially new functionality focusing on portal-based technology.
B2B Workforce: In the accounts you focus on, what do you see as B2B's biggest successes this year?
Jeff: We have had a very strong presence in SAP America this year by using our Solution Architects to help drive more business inside existing accounts such as Chico's and TIC Holdings. We have also had a heavy presence throughout the Midwest at accounts such as, Forest City, Timken, Molex, General Motors, Entegris, Madden Communications, and Bemis. Within Bearingpoint, we have had success working with internal projects and in the Public Sector, specifically at AOC, Johns Hopkins, State of MI, State of NC, and Customs.
B2B Workforce: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us Jeff. One last question for you: Do you see any particular obstacles that your company must overcome?
Jeff: We must keep up with the changing landscape of SAP and our consultants must continue to gain the knowledge necessary to keep up.
We also spoke with Trish Brashear our SAP Delivery Manager focusing on the Accenture account.
B2B Workforce: Trish, we have spoken with your colleagues about what they see happening in the SAP consulting market right now. What is your perspective on the health of the market?
Trish: All industries seem to be heating up whether its new implementations or post production support being outsourced to our client base. Specifically, in my case, this includes clients in pharma and telecommunications.
B2B Workforce: Are there any core skills that your client has an above average need for?
Trish: I see a large demand for Logistics, HR and IS-Retail consultants right now. There is also always a need for strong ABAP development consultants.
B2B Workforce: What would you say are the shining successes for B2B within your area of focus?
Trish: I would have to definitely mention the Wyeth project. This is a huge account for Accenture and provides two dimensional opportunity to work with development and outsourcing.
B2B Workforce: Do you see any weak spots?
Trish: Well, we work so hard to initiate communication with hiring managers and project managers on the ground at a project rather than working through procurement. The managers on the ground typically have the clearest insight into the type of skills that are needed as well as direct hiring authority. Consultants on current projects can really help in this area by keeping their eyes and ears open for opportunities that we can support.
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Atlanta-based B2B Workforce, Inc. announced today that its Principals have named Timothy J. Shearer to serve as the company's Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Shearer has served as B2B's Vice President, Oracle Practice since March 2006 where he had P & L responsibility for its Oracle Consulting Practice. Prior to joining B2B, he held a number of senior level positions at BearingPoint, Inc. and it's predecessor, KPMG Consulting, Inc., culminating as Vice President, Commercial Services Solutions. Prior to BearingPoint, he held positions with the consultancy practices of Price Waterhouse, LLP and Coopers & Lybrand, LLP. Previous to entering the consulting space, Shearer held a number of finance, technology and strategic planning roles with several Fortune 500 companies.
Bob Bailey, one of the founding Principals of B2B, said that promoting Shearer from within the company as its CEO is a natural choice. His new role will combine his experience in successfully growing a key element of our business with his demonstrated leadership skills and experience honed from his successful consulting and business operations roles.
"Tim has been known to us for many years, both as a client and more recently as a key member of our management team. We are very confident that he has the requisite background to help our organization continue on its steep growth trajectory," continued Bailey.
Steve Sutton, also a founding Principal of B2B, and Executive Sponsor of the company's Oracle Practice said that the firm is looking forward to Shearer bringing the same level of energy and success that he demonstrated in leading strong Oracle Practice growth to our entire company.
"As our company has grown and has become increasingly sophisticated in the markets and clients we serve, it became apparent that we needed a top executive, with a demonstrated track record, to help us continue the flawless execution of our business plan. Tim has proven his understanding of our business while working closely with me to grow our Oracle Practice over the last nine months," said Sutton.
Shearer commented that "B2B's unique value that it brings to its clients, as well as its commitment to quality, and client service drew me in as a client years ago. I am excited to now work closely with Steve, Bob and the rest of the Management Team to continue to grow this company by building on its past success with flexible, unique project augmentation services for current and new clients."
About B2B
B2B Workforce, Inc. (www.b2bworkforce.com) is a leading provider of project augmentation services to the world's largest Systems Integrators and Fortune 1000 clients. Headquartered in Alpharetta Georgia, B2B has provided high quality technology consultants within the ERP, CRM, EAI and BI markets for over seven years. B2B has been named one of the Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies by The Atlanta Business Chronicle for 2004 and 2005 as well as having been named to the Catalyst Top 50 Entrepreneurs List in 2004 and 2006. B2B is also a Premier Partner with SAP Americas, Inc, and an Oracle Certified Partner.
Contact:
B2B Workforce Inc.
Dr. Keith Marsh, CMO
770.667.7232
kmarsh@b2bworkforce.com
Experts explain ways to leave stress behind when you take off for that much needed holiday.
Want to have the best vacation ever?
Travel and health experts say a winning getaway -- one that is enjoyed before, during, and after a trip -- takes a bit of planning. Otherwise, you may be doomed to repeat scenarios that have made countless other escapes stressful.
Consider these situations:
- Have you ever felt frantic and lost sleep trying to get all of your errands and packing done before a trip?
- "Ever got stuck in slow-moving traffic or in long airport security lines?
- "Tired of trying to find enough activities for the kids to do?
- "Feel the need to check in with work during vacation?
If you've found yourself nodding at any of these circumstances, then you'll definitely want to don your planning cap, and figure out how to tackle the vacation busters. These spoilsports insidiously eat away at leisure time; many people shrug them off as just part of life. Yet you don't have to put up with them. There are ways to tame the vacation busters, allowing you to relish your time off.
WebMD has information on four vacation busters and tips on how to deal with them.
Vacation Buster No. 1: Transport Troubles
According to the Travel Industry Association (TIA), 88% of leisure travel happens by car, truck, or RV. Nine percent of Americans take to the air; the rest journey by bus or train.
Almost everyone hits the road -- even folks who go to the airport, train station, or bus station. This can mean highly congested roads, particularly during summer weekends and holidays.
"There are a few things worse than getting excited to go to some place you really love for your vacation, and you load your car and family, get to the interstate, and then wham you're in a big line of traffic, and you're going nowhere fast," says TIA spokesman Allen Kay.
The same nightmare can happen on the way home. In fact, just the thought of driving back in overcrowded roads can put a damper on good feelings during a vacation.
To make road travel more bearable, Robert Sinclair Jr., manager of media relations at AAA, recommends the following:
- Figure out how to get there. Prepare directions to your destination in advance. Have maps and alternate travel routes handy in case you hit traffic. Satellite navigational devices can also be helpful, but make sure any gadget you use is easy to operate and read.
- Know what to expect. Check weather and traffic reports often as travel conditions can suddenly change. Look out for construction projects along your path. Often, the Department of Transportation in each area will list road closures or detours on their web site.
Decide when to drive. Be aware of peak travel hours. You can generally expect roads to be packed after 5 p.m. on the Friday before a holiday, and between 6 p.m. and midnight on the Monday or Tuesday after a holiday. To avoid jam-packed highways, consider taking personal days to travel. Although that may not be ideal, you may be saving yourself the headache of an accident. Since many people get up very early in the morning or travel late into the night to beat traffic, there is the real danger of drowsy driving. According to Sinclair, many who drive during times they're normally asleep can drift off into microsleep -- three- to 10-second intervals of snoozing -- while at the wheel.
Drivers [in a simulator study] thought they were just drowsy, but they had actually fallen asleep," says Sinclair. "Falling asleep for three seconds may not sound like a big deal, but at 60 miles an hour, you're traveling 88 feet per second. So, at three seconds, you've traveled the distance of nearly football field. A lot of bad things can happen in that distance."
Click here to view the full article at webmd.com:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/125/115846.htm
Ever want to unwind by checking out some of the seemingly endless time wasters on the web? Don't know where to start? B2BWorkforce has done the leg-work for you and compiled a list of a few of our favorite places to spend a little down-time.
Warning: These can be quite time consuming and are best used off hours.
If you haven't taken the frog test yet, make sure you give your self esteem a health check before popping this web address in your browser. This came to us by email, and is apparently a test given to second graders in China. We're not sure if that's true or not, but if anyone asks, we switched the brown and green frogs from one side to the other on the first try, and in the required two minutes (wink).
www.jimmydoane.com/Frog_Game.xls
As you may have already discovered, youtube.com takes wasting time to a whole new level. The below link will take you to a You Tube video that reveals the answer to the frog test above. Yes, you can find anything on You Tube!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=srWIanr99Cc&mode=related&search=
One last time waster before we get back to work! Ever wonder what celebrity you look like? Even if you have not, you may want to check out myheritage.com for a free face recognition tool that will match your face to the celebrities you most resemble. Our take on the accuracy of this demo: Results range from somewhat accurate to somewhat frightening, but overall we found the demo very amusing.
Direct link to the myheritage.com face recognition tool:
http://www.myheritage.com/FP/Company/face-recognition.php
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