Oracle still thinks its customers are idiots

Here's an Oracle ad I just saw on NRF's smartbrief site. I won't say the ad is a lie, but I do have to say that Oracle has only had systems live at Perry Ellis for a year or so, two at most. Nearly all, if not just plain *all*, of Perry's success is due to running a good business for a lot of years.

I don't understand how this type of advertising can be effective. I've been on the inside at both software companies and retailers, and the people there all know this type of claim is preposterous. And it makes people feel worse, not better, about working there. I can't believe it still goes on.

Follow me on Twitter

So far, I consider this experiment a success, because I'm learning enough about my industry to justify the time spent. However, if you're only following the blog you are likely disappointed. I suggest you follow me on Twitter instead, where I've been posting almost every day.

I don't want the blog to be a "links only" site. And I haven't had the inspiration for meaty research that would warrant more blog entries. So for now you can expect me to 1) continue my current news reading, 2) post the most interesting things on Twitter, and 3) continue to refine my news feeds. More blogging will happen when it happens.

http://twitter.com/retsoftnews

Google search for "price optimization"

Warning, there's no news in this post. I'm thinking about pricing solutions lately, so I searched for "price optimization." I was a bit surprised by what did, and didn't, come up. I'm not going to draw any conclusions here, but I think you might Google your own area of interest, to test your assumptions about which vendors are doing (or publicizing) what.

Just getting started

I created Retail Software News with a few goals in mind:

• Make my information habit serve my career.  I've spent too much time soaking up information about the news and my hobbies.  I will use that time here.
• Create the source for professional news that I've always wanted.  For years I've wanted a source for MY professional news, delivered in a FEED.
• Develop a community for this.
  

So far my information habit is satisfied playing with new tools, even as I struggle to find quality news sources beyond press releases.

To develop a community, I need you dear reader to get involved with me.

• Subscribe.  If you aren't using a feed reader today you should stop reading this and go set up Google Reader or Bloglines or NewsGator.  Then come back & subscribe.
• Leave comments here.
• Email RSN to retailsoftwarenews --a-t-- gmail.com.
• Follow RSN on Twitter @retsoftnews.
• Follow RSN on Ma.gnolia retailsoftwarenews
  

Thanks for checking it out.

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Circuit City considers alternatives to bankruptcy

At $0.26 per share, Circuit has market cap of $43M and a P/E ratio of zero.  Ouch.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122445974629148617.html?mod=googlenews_wsj