Oz unveils BPM groups

Business Process Management (BPM) user groups have been launched in Australia, with groups operating in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, reports ComputerWorld.

Since forming the BPTrends Forum in September as an information sharing network for users of BPM software, bi-monthly meetings have been held with attendance from users, vendors, consultants and academics.

The forum`s founder, Paul Harmon, said the open, collaborative and technology-independent format is proving highly effective in helping organisations accelerate their adoption of BPM methods and technologies.

Software AG has re-launched its partner programme to address its acquisition of webMethods in June, reports ARN NET.

Partner business development manager Mark Greeff said the merged programmes could now be accessed by all partners and were being supported globally.

"We now have dedicated portals where partners can get up-to-date, real-time information about all the product suites, case studies and so forth," he said.

Centrica Energy, the UK`s largest supplier of residential gas and electricity, has formed a power-optimisation alliance with Power Costs, reports CBR.

The company implemented PCI`s Generation Supply Management System, which includes PCI GenTrader for short-term and long-term power portfolio optimisation; and PCI GenPortal, for BPM and the deployment of customised processes.

Jason Kram, VP of Oklahoma-based PCI says: "The company is pleased to have implemented GSMS at Centrica. This will expand our business in UK and Europe.