【正文】 ta to an ERP back end, and later added ways to collect nonproject costs, such as work requests. Although approaching PPM requirements with different strengths, these applications can provide reliable IT project and service status data, which was formerly available only in fragments (for example, in such static documents as time reports or resource plans in Excel). In assembling a plete solution, PPM packages often provide integration to address gaps or weaknesses in functionality. Another example of integration is the mon dependence on Microsoft Project, while focusing on portfolio analysis, tracking, resourcing, costing, collaboration or other features and offering project planning (such as Gantt charts) for those situations when moredetailed scheduling (in Microsoft Project or alternative schedulers) is not required (see Figure 2). Figure 2 PPM: Evolution of an Application Suite Source: Gartner Research (July 20xx) During the past year, developments in the PPM market have included the growing importance of portfolio features — hence, our reference to it as project portfolio management, rather than project/resource management (although resource profiling, leveling and so forth remain significant). IBM has been a growing presence in this market, as well as at its fringes。 it acquired Rational Software last year, as well as PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Consulting, including its Summit Ascendant product line, which features tools, IT process support and project management methodology. More directly in the PPM space, IBM has invested in Systemcorp and has assisted in the development of Systemcorp39。s Enterprise PM Office, which shows an accurate view of market requirements, with an effective breadth of functionality that includes full scheduling, resourcing, and time and expense reporting. Service request management and defecttracking features further support the needs of IS anizations. Scope management features enable users to integrate project requirements to plan and automate project document management, including version control and the ability to link documents to any level of a work breakdown structure. Built in a Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) framework, PM Office39。s portal approach enables simpler user configurations than previous releases and also features a native Enterprise Dashboard, with hundreds of Clevel stored procedures, including many for portfolio reporting. Previously focused on IBM39。s DB2 database platform, PM Office now directly supports the Oracle database as well. An emerging group of portfolio analysis vendors has begun offering solutions for analyzing IT investments and assets, some (such as Pacific Edge Software) as part of PPM product lines (see The Gartner Portfolio Management Tool for IT Investment). Other offerings, although short of being PPM products (see Note 2), are moving to offer planning, resourcing and other features that approach the PPM market. Among these emerging tools is Artemis International Solutions39。 PortfolioDirector (see Artemis PortfolioDirector for Managing IT Investments), which has been a bright spot for Artemis in recent years as the pany has struggled to put its financial challenges behind it. Note 2 PPM Processes for Application Support A PPM application addresses most of the nine processes defined by the Project Management Institute39。s Project Management Book of Knowledge: project scope management, time management (that is, planning or scheduling), cost management, resource management, quality management, project munications management, project risk management and project procurement management. The ninth area enables the integration of these processes, such as for pipeline or oth