PeopleSoft Offers Hosted ERP Apps

The Pleasanton, Calif.-based enterprise resource planning vendor's human resource management system and financial-management packages are the first available through what is being called the PeopleSoft eCenter.

Later this year, PeopleSoft expects to offer its customer relationship management, supply chain management, business intelligence and government/education software, as well as complementary non-PeopleSoft applications, through eCenter.

"PeopleSoft eCenter brings together PeopleSoft's greatest assets to deliver a next-generation Internet-based application hosting service," said Deepak Gupta, vice president and general manager of PeopleSoft's eCenter.

The company expects that its existing outsourcing providers will allow customers to choose a hosted version of various PeopleSoft offerings.

Initial Implementation Partners include integrators BrightStar Information Technology Group Inc., Ballantyne Computer Service Inc. and the Revere Group.

During a press conference, Gupta and other PeopleSoft executives said the company expects 40 percent to 50 percent of its licensing revenue to come from eCenter over the next few years.

"We're coordinating this entry into the market with our partners," said PeopleSoft President and Chief Executive Craig Conway. "We want to see PeopleSoft offered in as many channels as possible."

Initial eCenter Service Partners include Arthur Andersen LLP, Deloitte Consulting, IBM Global Services and KPMG Consulting.

Meanwhile, Santa Clara, Calif.-based ASP Exodus Communications Inc. will be first to host the eCenter applications. CRN