25 Apr 2012 07:00
Embargoed Release: 07:00hrs, Wednesday 25th April, 2012
SOPHEON PLC
("Sopheon" or the "Company")
Latest Version of Sopheon Software Helps Innovators Tackle Economic and Market Turbulence
Accolade 8.0 sets a new standard for agility in managing innovation projects, incorporates mobile applications for iPhone and iPad, and reflects input from top innovators in industry.
Sopheon, the international provider of software and services for product lifecycle management (PLM), today introduced the latest version of its Accolade innovation management solution. Accolade 8.0 offers a broad mix of features designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of project leaders, team leaders and cross-functional team members in managing innovation projects. New capabilities of the software include automatic generation and adjustment of project plans and advanced levels of support for team collaboration. Accolade 8.0 is expected to be of particular value to global companies striving to keep innovation project activity in step with changing market conditions and business priorities.
Select features found in Accolade 8.0 evolved from Sopheon's work with existing customers. For instance, some of the advanced metrics being introduced in the new software reflect input from Electrolux and PepsiCo. Aspects of the project plan structures were based on Sopheon's experience in supporting global innovation processes at Philips. "One of Philips' central business strategies is to drive profitable growth through meaningful innovation," said Paul De Wit, director of Idea to Market processes for Philips' Consumer Lifestyle business. "We adopted the Accolade system to optimize our Stage-Gate® new product development process and portfolio management efforts. Recently we have worked with Sopheon to help shape and test the project management capabilities that are being introduced in this latest version of their software. We live in a complex, fast-changing world. Accolade's new features have given us the ability to model projects in a very dynamic manner and alter them quickly in response to shifts in market opportunities and needs, without extra administrative burden. We believe that these capabilities will help shorten our Idea to Market processes."
In addition to enhancements related to project portfolio management and collaboration, Accolade 8.0 introduces a variety of new features aimed at deepening the software's acknowledged market leadership within its application category for ease-of-configuration and ease-of-use. The solution also offers integration with Microsoft's SharePoint® software, a development that will allow users to promote and highlight innovation activity by making it visible across the corporate community. In a further development, Sopheon announced today that the first mobile applications of its software are now available, designed specifically for use with iPhones and iPads.
"The need to anticipate and react quickly to change has become an essential component of any successful innovation strategy," said Bryan Seyfarth, director of product strategy for Sopheon. "Accolade 8.0 was literally co-created by some of the top innovators in industry. Each of these companies brought to the collaboration a deep understanding of what it takes to win in the 'new normal,' a business environment that requires speed, iterative action and a capacity to deal with constant change. The software will give our customers far more agility, enabling rapid mid-course corrections that side step sudden competitive threats and open the door to fast-moving opportunities. For companies struggling to keep pace with economic turbulence, market disruptions and unending uncertainty, this latest version of Accolade can be a game changer."
Accolade® is a registered trademark of Sopheon plc. SharePoint® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Stage-Gate® is a registered trademark of the Product Development Institute.
For further information contact:
Barry Mence, Chairman | Sopheon plc | Tel : + 44 (0) 1483 685 735 |
Arif Karimjee, CFO | Sopheon plc | Tel : + 44 (0) 1483 685 735 |
Charlotte Stranner/ Joanna Weaving | finnCap | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7600 1658 |
Guy McDougall/ Heather Armstrong | Newgate Threadneedle | Tel : + 44 (0) 20 7653 9850 |
Claire Verhagen | Citigate First Financial | Tel : + 31 (0) 205 754 010 |
About Sopheon
Sopheon (LSE: SPE) is an international provider of software and services that help organisations improve the business impact of product innovation. Sopheon's solutions automate and govern the innovation process, enabling companies to increase revenue and profits from new products. Sopheon's solutions are used by industry leaders throughout the world, including BAE Systems, BASF, Corning, Electrolux, Honeywell, Novartis and SABMiller. Sopheon is listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange and on the Euronext in the Netherlands. For more information, please visit www.sopheon.com.