SugarCRM V6 Makes Social Networking Sweet for Business
by Alex Woodie

Capitalizing on the explosive growth of social networking has become the new gold rush in the high tech field. While everybody scrambles to monetize the opportunity, SugarCRM appears to be on the right track with the latest release of its CRM system, which not only pulls contacts, relationships, and comments from sites like Facebook and LinkedIn into the CRM system, but it allows customers to use services like Twitter and YouTube as part of their outgoing sales and marketing campaigns. READ MORE >

Inventu Streamlines IBM i-to-SharePoint Connections
by Alex Woodie

Inventu launched a new product last month aimed at making it easier for developers to integrate IBM i data and applications into Microsoft SharePoint portals. Flynet Viewer 2010, along with Inventu's SharePoint Host Access Web Part component, provide several ways for hooking into 5250, 3270, and VT green screens and making the host data and workflows accessible from SharePoint portals, lists, and other assets. READ MORE >

Outsourcer Mindfire Unveils IBM i Programming Practice
by Alex Woodie

How does hiring an RPG programmer at $25 per hour sound to you? With the new IBM i development and application support practice announced last week by the Indian IT services company Mindfire Solutions, that's about what a senior developer will cost you. In addition to RPG, COBOL, Java, CL, and Synon programming expertise, Mindfire says its consultants have experience supporting JD Edwards and implementing MIMIX. READ MORE >

Kisco Updates IBM i Twitter Utility
by Alex Woodie

Kisco Information Systems has added a tweet scheduler to SNDTWEET, an IBM i utility that turns the Twitter messaging service into a system monitoring and communication tool for System i and Power Systems shops. Version 3, which debuted last week, also supports the new authentication mechanism mandated by Twitter, as well as other new functionality. READ MORE >