ABSTRACT
George Plossl offers sound advice for those contemplating the implementation of any major software tool.
In this chapter, we describe the major software categories that fit into the supply chain domain. We mentioned in Chapter 21 that the boundaries of these categories are fuzzy. A particular package may be classified or marketed under multiple categories. The types themselves also change over time. This can be the result of package providers joining forces, or industry providers seeking new “space” in the marketplace. The joining of two or more providers usually involves the building of software links between packages. In this fashion, they become “integrated” and offer a “single solution.” Other companies, working alone, will build new versions of their packages with additional capabilities.
