Software AG makes Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Benefits Measurable to Business and IT Decision-Makers
PRNewswire (05/02/2007 1:00 PM ET)

DARMSTADT, Germany, May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Software AG today announced the availability of the SOA Value Assessment, a unique tool that helps CIOs identify the specific value of an SOA for their organization. Software AG commissioned Forrester Consulting to develop this innovative model so organizations can analyze where SOA can offer a substantial economic benefit. The model identifies which IT and business process areas are most likely to be improved by adopting an SOA. This strategic assessment helps organizations justify the cost of SOA with greater accuracy. In addition, the model highlights how governance can increase the value of an SOA. The availability of the SOA Value Assessment is another step in implementing Software AG's strategy to double revenue to 1 billion euro by 2011 through SOA technology and market leadership.

The SOA Value Assessment leverages Forrester's Total Economic Impact(TM) methodology, a comprehensive model for determining the value of IT to the enterprise. The assessment aims to give a true picture of what SOA means to an enterprise. It assists IT experts in expressing the value of SOA in business terms and provides insights on the most effective implementation of SOA for an organization before additional investments are made.

"SOA is clearly beyond pure technology hype," said Dr. Peter Kuerpick, member of the board at Software AG. "Many IT experts struggle to explain the benefits of SOA in business terms. Using this model, they can analyze and measure the business benefits of SOA. The model helps businesses understand if SOA is a sound investment for them."

The SOA Value Assessment offers a series of questionnaires and calculations in which business analysts and enterprise architects input specific data regarding their organization. Based on this input, they receive a customized report that highlights the potential business value of an SOA for their organization.

Key areas analyzed in the assessment are: -- User productivity -- Process efficiency -- Infrastructure enablement -- Business innovation

Based on customer inputs, the SOA Value Assessment automatically generates a high-level map that shows, at a glance, where organizations have the highest potential for getting the most value from SOA. Because proper governance is critical in realizing the business value of SOA, the SOA Value Assessment also assesses the impact of governance and also highlights areas that would benefit from governance improvement.

"To build the right SOA right from the start is the goal of IT and business decision-makers everywhere," Kuerpick said. "With the SOA Value Assessment, organizations now have a powerful way to analyze the potential benefits of an SOA, providing convincing arguments when budgeting for new initiatives."

The SOA Value Assessment gives organizations a quick start on building a business case for SOA. People can register for the assessment at www.soavalueassessment.com . Software AG also will use the assessment as the foundation for workshops to guide organizations through the different aspects of SOA and their potential value.

For more information, visit www.soavalueassessment.com .

Software AG | Uhlandstrasse 12 | 64297 Darmstadt | Germany

Software technology to increase the value of enterprise IT systems. Software AG is a global leader in mission-critical software infrastructure solutions based on open standards. At the forefront of advanced Service- Oriented Architecture (SOA), Software AG enables customers to create powerful enterprise applications -- especially in heterogeneous IT environments. Software AG's products Adabas, Crossvision, Natural and Tamino help more than 3,000 customers uncover the full potential of their IT and add value to existing systems. With technology from Software AG, enterprises can: create flexible business applications and processes; extend the value and life of core systems; manage data effectively across the enterprise; and control and govern their Service-Oriented Architecture.

Software AG has more than 35 years of global IT experience and over 2,600 employees serving customers in 70 countries. The company is headquartered in Germany and listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (TecDAX, ISIN DE 0003304002 / SOW). Software AG posted total revenues of 483 million euro (unaudited) in 2006. www.softwareag.com

CONTACT: Paul Hughes, Director Media Relations, +49 (0) 6151 92-0, Fax: Paul.Hughes@softwareag.com+49 (0) 6151 92-1191, , or Gerda Yearwood,Director of Market Development, +1-703-391-8295,, both of Software AG

Web site: http://www.softwareag.com/ http://www.soavalueassessment.com/