SPE.L Regulatory News (SPE)

20 Oct 2006 07:01

Sopheon PLC20 October 2006 Embargoed Release: 07:00hrs Friday 20th October 2006 Sopheon plc ('Sopheon') Sopheon to Integrate Microsoft Office Project 2007 into Accolade Product Life Cycle Management Solution Sopheon, the international software and services company, announced today thatit will augment current use of Microsoft tools within its Accolade product lifecycle management solution by integrating the software system with MicrosoftOffice Project Server 2007. Adoption of the soon-to-be released Microsoftproduct will broaden and deepen aspects of Accolade's capacity to providegovernance support for the product innovation process. The integration will beintroduced in the next major version of Accolade, scheduled forcommercialization in 2007. The Microsoft Office Project 2007 integration initiative is the latest advancein a continuing strategic alliance between Sopheon and Microsoft. Since itsinception, Sopheon's Accolade software has seamlessly incorporated Microsoftproducts such as Microsoft Office Project Server and other components of theMicrosoft Office system, focusing the capabilities of these horizontal platformson helping manufacturers increase the business impact of new product innovation. Based on the strength and success of this business application, the alliancebetween Sopheon and Microsoft has steadily grown. Sopheon has earnedMicrosoft's designation as a Gold Certified partner, and recently joined theranks of Microsoft "managed" partners. Microsoft has acknowledged Sopheon as a"First-to-Market" solution partner for Office Project 2007. The integration of Microsoft Office Project 2007 will result in a variety offunctional advantages for Accolade users. For instance, the Office Project 2007scheduling engine will allow product- development project managers to conductmore detailed project scheduling, and the information will automatically besynchronized with Accolade. This capability will save users time in creating,sharing and managing project plans and charts. The integration will alsoincrease the visibility of project plan data to users outside of projectmanagement, including cross-functional team members, process managers and seniorexecutives. More efficient planning and improved data sharing will inevitablyresult in better product investment decisions. "We're excited and gratified that Sopheon is one of our 'First-to-Market'solution partners for Microsoft Office Project 2007," said Michael Angiulo,General Manager, Microsoft Project Division. "Sopheon's position as a leader inhelping manufacturers solve business-critical problems in product innovation andproduct life cycle management is of particular importance to Microsoft.Sopheon's Accolade solution offers a range of valuable, differentiatingadvantages because it was built from the ground up to support the process ofdeveloping and commercializing new products. Combining its specializedstrengths with the enhanced collaboration and knowledge-sharing features ofProject 2007 will give manufacturers a breakthrough answer to the productivitychallenges of successful product creation and management. The power of thiscombination is a perfect example of the strategic value that independentsoftware vendors contribute to Microsoft." "Sopheon's commitment to integrate Office Project 2007 into our Accoladesolution is continuing evidence of a 'win-win' relationship between keypartners," said Andy Michuda, chief executive officer of Sopheon. "As an activemember of Microsoft's product advisory council for Office Project, we have aspecial appreciation for the way in which Microsoft has listened to the marketin shaping Office Project 2007. The emphasis they have placed on making thetechnology easier to adopt and use is very much in line with the designpriorities that have underpinned our development of Accolade. We are lookingforward to being able to offer the advantages that coupling Accolade and the newOffice Project 2007 platform will allow us to deliver to the innovation-processgovernance market. Integration of Office Project 2007 will increase Accolade'scapacity to bring business users and professional project managers together toincrease the success rate, throughput and value of innovation efforts." Accolade(R) is a registered trademark of Sopheon plc.Microsoft(R) is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the soleproperty of their respective owners. About Sopheon Sopheon (LSE: SPE) is an international provider of software and services thathelp organizations improve the business impact of product innovation. Sopheon'sAccolade(R) system automates and governs the innovation process, enablingcompanies to increase revenue and profits from new products. Sopheon is listedon the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange and on the Euronext in theNetherlands. For more information, please visit www.sopheon.com. - End - For Further Information: Barry Mence, Chairman Sopheon plc Tel : + 44 (0) 1483 685 735Arif Karimjee, CFOAndrew Tan Hansard Group Tel : + 44 (0) 207 245 1100 + 44 (0) 7957 203 685Frank Jansen Citigate First Financial Tel : + 31 (0) 205 754 010 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange