The KPI (Key Performance Indicator) is defined as a factor which is critical to the success of our business. As such it should be measured regularly by collecting and analysing reliable internal and external data. This data allows the company to evaluate its performance and subsequently benchmark it against the rest of the industry. Additionally, it makes our achievements directly comparable to those of our competitors.

The process of identifying and selecting the appropriate KPI’s for our business is paramount as this is the stage when a formal system for measuring our performance is established. The company’s commitment to measuring and analysing the collated data can lead to business objectives’ realisation and continual improvement. However, the KPI’s are only a business tool for decision making and at no point can it replace the formal strategic planning of the company. 

The benefits seized by such a methodology are presented below:

• KPI’s can be an initiator for directing and driving our business forward through influencing our business processes. The successful management of our business processes can result into an efficient and profitable company as a whole.
• KPI’s consist a great tool that supports the company’s vision and goals; two of the major “team binders”. It is generally accepted that integrated teams work more efficiently and produce results in shortest time. Time reductions mean less cost and so greater profitability and predictability of performance. 
• KPI’s can be a mean for driving improvement through comparison. They can reveal the strengths and the weaknesses of a business and prepare the ground for building a competitive advantage. They reinforce our knowledge for the industry by learning from our competitors.
• KPI’s could drive innovation. This is why a failure to identify meaningful and measurable KPI’s can put our business in danger as we become short sighted, having limited visibility and finally becoming counter-productive.

Well, I got a forwarded mail that was actually useful, so I've pasted it in the "Read More" incase you find it useful.

Bob

So, I have a dekiwiki I use for some purpose or another, I wanted it to be used via https to ensure security (just general paranoia). That was fine to implement, however it needed authentication otherwise whats the point! So, I sat down and tried to figure out how to authenticate Apache2 against a MySQL database. There are lots of tools to do this, but luckily for me none of them work with Dekiwiki because the site doesn't store it's password in any normal way.

Based on the EC Code of Conduct on Energy Efficiency of Digital TV Service Systems I have written a calculator spread sheet to guide manufacturers as to what the limits would be. It can be downloaded here.

I don't give any assurances, but let me know if there are any problems with it.