The Week in Review: May 23

In the News... CosmoCom has partnered with Microsoft to integrate its call center software solutions with MS CRM. The company is calling the integrated product a call center in a box, an easy-to-implement, easily customized call center solution for mid-market businesses. CRM consulting firm Alinean recently released results of ongoing research on the merits of IT spending. The report says IT spending does not directly correlate to derived value and ROI. It illustrates how some companies scale their spending more effectively than others, sustaining their leadership positions in a slowing economy; others use IT spending to catapult themselves to leadership; while others either underspend or squander investments and are left behind. "It sounds pretty obvious, but our results show time and again that it's not how much you spend, it's what you spend it on and how well the investments are managed," Tom Pisello, president and CEO of Alinean, said in a statement. Baan and Flextronics Enterprise Services (FES) have announced a partnership aimed at broadening their respective sales channels. As part of the partnership, the companies will combine Baan enterprise software with FES's implementation services. Baan also announced a channel sales partnership with Canadian consulting firm Cambian to better penetrate the Canadian market. SAS, provider of customer analytics software, today announced a three-year, $100,000 software grant to help the Ohio Department of Natural Resources identify and better serve hikers, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The department's Divisions of Wildlife, Watercraft, and Parks and Recreation will use the grant to integrate information about customers who participate in wildlife-related activities, such as fishing and hunting, as well as patrons who visit state parks, forests and public waterways. Executive changes... UpShot Corporation today announced that Allen Lovett has been named vice president of worldwide sales. In line with its channel sales announcements, Baan has appointed Charley Powell as vice president, worldwide indirect channel sales, and has named Bill Gerrish as vice president, North American channels. Banter, which markets call center software, has announced the appointment of Christopher D. Brennan as president and CEO, effective immediately. Brennan most recently served as president and CEO of wireless middleware developer Mobileum, now called Roamware. Extraprise, a CRM consulting firm, has named Yury Parad as the latest addition to its board of directors. Quaero, a provider of knowledge-driven marketing services, today announced that Ken Demma has joined the firm as senior vice president to lead its Marketing Effectiveness practice.