Nevertheless, the acquisition of YOUCentric bears its challenges too. The major one is that YOUCentric has had only a handful of customers that have integrated their new SFA software to an ERP system including J.D. Edwards' one, whereas other CRM modules have yet to create a live reference. As YOUCentric offering is rather a CRM development platform than a well-defined CRM product, it may not have a major appeal to customers that prefer the off-the-shelf product. Therefore, it will take some time for the complete architectural products' alignment beyond the mere integration at portal level as to have an overall market appeal and consecutive impact to J.D. Edwards' top line, despite the products compatible architectures, data mapping technology and therefore potentially expedient integration. There has almost not been articulated industry-specific CRM functionality yet, contrary to the company's espoused vertical focus at the J.D. Edwards 5 level.

Furthermore, in spite of all the a impressive announcements in Part One and Part Two, J.D. Edwards still faces more challenges ahead. Indeed, to put things in the right perspective, one should bear in mind that the company's license revenue in 2002 will still likely be almost 50% less than the corresponding revenue of $419 million in 2000, back when the company was still merely an ERP player, although the total revenue may remain flat or will grow 5% compared to $874 million in 2001 (still being well below the $1 billion mark in 2000).