LWSN Lawson Software, Inc. (MM)

Coughlan Says Lawson's 'Manifesto for Change' is Saving Clients' Time, Increasing the Value They Receive from Lawson Products and Services Lawson Software (Nasdaq:LWSN) Chief Executive Officer Jay Coughlan today tells thousands of the company's clients how Lawson is building a leadership position in mid-market applications by providing real business outcomes at the lowest total cost of ownership. This is a direct result of Lawson's efforts to drive change in the business software industry and offer a vastly superior experience to Lawson clients. He is delivering his remarks at Lawson's annual Conference and User Exchange (CUE), being held in San Diego, May 9-11. "The future of business applications is about much more than rearranging market share and making do with fewer choices," says Coughlan. "There's an ocean of opportunities in front of us to drive meaningful innovation that will deliver real economic value for clients." In the spirit of innovation, company Chairman and Founder Richard Lawson also introduces a new breakthrough business application platform today that is expected to dramatically boost software quality and adaptability. More than three years in the making, Project Landmark will position Lawson applications and Lawson clients for service-oriented architectures. It focuses on the very source of application complexity: the massive amounts of computer code that have brought business software innovation and adaptability to a standstill. Announced at CUE 2004, Lawson's "Manifesto for Change in Business Application Software" is a 1,000-day journey to transform the business software experience for Lawson clients. In the Manifesto's first 200 days, Lawson achieved each of its transformation goals and increased client satisfaction based on a recent survey conducted by TNS Prognostics with 611 Lawson clients. "We've been working hard to fulfill the promises set forth in our Manifesto, and we're proud clients are seeing a difference early in the process," says Coughlan. "Our Manifesto-driven initiatives are focused on our clients and our prospects and their needs, whereas our competitors continue to focus on themselves." Specifically, Lawson has transformed its consulting services organization, completed a three-year product and services roadmap, launched targeted marketing campaigns to strengthen its position in its key vertical markets and further demonstrated how its clients realize business value from its applications and services. In the remaining 800 days, Coughlan says Lawson will continue to focus on initiatives that boost client loyalty and deliver the products its clients want, when they need them and at an average total cost of ownership below that provided by competitive alternatives. About Lawson Software Lawson Software provides business application software and consulting services that put time on the side of services organizations in the healthcare, retail, government and education, banking and insurance and other markets. Lawson's software suites include enterprise performance management, distribution, financials, human resources, procurement, retail operations and service process optimization. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., Lawson has offices and affiliates serving North and South America, Europe, and Africa. Lawson Software and Lawson are registered trademarks of Lawson Software, Inc. All rights reserved. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that contain risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements contain statements of intent, belief or current expectations of Lawson Software, Inc., and its management. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the potential results discussed in the forward-looking statements. The company is not obligated to update forward-looking statements based on circumstances or events that occur in the future. Risks and uncertainties that may cause such differences include but are not limited to: uncertainties in the software industry; global military conflicts; terrorist attacks in the United States, and any future events in response to these developments; changes in conditions in the company's targeted service industries; increased competition and other risk factors listed in the company's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as included in other documents the company files from time to time with the Commission.