SPE.L Regulatory News (SPE)

19 Oct 2006 07:01

Sopheon PLC19 October 2006 Embargoed Release: 07:00hrs Thursday 19th October 2006 Sopheon Plc ('Sopheon') Sopheon Selected as One of Manufacturing Business Technology's 40 Emerging Software Vendors Recognition Highlights Company's Rapid Growth and Blue Chip Client Base Sopheon, the international software and services company, today announced thatit has been named one of Manufacturing Business Technology magazine's "40Emerging Software Vendors" for 2006. This is the second consecutive yearSopheon has made the list, which recognizes up-and-coming suppliers that aremeeting critical enterprise needs with notable success. Each year, Manufacturing Business Technology's editorial staff conducts researchto identify "the best of the new breed" among emerging software vendors thatoffer core manufacturing, supply chain, enterprise and product developmentsolutions. Forty are subsequently chosen for recognition, based on such factorsas rate-of-growth and recent customer wins. "Many of today's manufacturers are looking for ways to increase organic growth,"said Kevin Parker, Manufacturing Business Technology's editorial director. "That emphasis has translated into escalating demand for technology solutionsthat can improve the process of choosing and developing new products. There's aclear connection between Sopheon's strong business momentum and the capacity ofits software to help manufacturers increase the returns on their investments inproduct innovation. The company's continued, impressive maturation has promptedus to include them among our select emerging vendors two years in a row." Sopheon's Accolade(R) solution provides governance for the innovation processand decision-making support for product portfolio management. The offering isfocused on eliminating the administrative, communication and knowledge-sharingimpediments to successful adoption of the widely used Stage-Gate(R) productdevelopment process methodology. One of the principal benefits of the Accoladesystem is that it enables users to separate winning product ideas from losersbefore critical resources are spent on development, reducing the business riskassociated with innovation. The Sopheon system has been adopted by suchindustry leaders as American Express, Nautilus, Parker Hannifin, Pall andElectrolux. Manufacturing Business Technology's monthly print edition has a circulation ofmore than 93,000, covering manufacturing companies throughout North America.Most readers have roles in corporate, IT and operations management. Themagazine focuses on providing news and analysis that can be used to makedecisions about the purchase and application of IT hardware, software andservices to improve business results. "Manufacturing Business Technology is a well-informed, highly regarded observerof the companies and technologies that are driving the ongoing transformation ofbusiness processes," said Andy Michuda, chief executive officer of Sopheon. "Sopheon's mission is to operationalize innovation, empowering manufacturers toachieve dramatically higher levels of revenues and profits from new products.Manufacturing Business Technology's recognition of our continued strong businessperformance is a testimony to the day-to-day commitment and hard work of everymember of the Sopheon organization in ensuring that we deliver on our promise ofvalue to the companies we serve." Sopheon Accolade(R) is a registered trademark of Sopheon plc. Stage-Gate(R) is a registered trademark of the Product Development Institute. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the sole property 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. For Further Information: Barry Mence, Chairman Sopheon plc Tel : + 44 (0) 1483 685 735Arif Karimjee, CFO Andrew Tan Hansard Communications Tel : + 44 (0) 207 245 1100 + 44 (0) 7957 203 685 Frank 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