LWSN Lawson Software, Inc. (MM)

Lawson Software (Nasdaq:LWSN) has secured 20 charter members for an exclusive program designed to help Lawson customers achieve real business performance improvements from their application implementations. The Hackett World-Class Passport program was unveiled at Lawson's CUE user conference in May with the intention of signing up approximately 20 participating organizations. The program has attracted mid-sized customers from a broad range of industries who responded to the opportunity to cost-effectively jumpstart their business process improvement programs and get more value from their Lawson implementations. The program offers best practice research, metrics, benchmarking and on-demand advisor access from The Hackett Group. Charter members include healthcare providers Catholic Healthcare West, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Providence Health System and Catholic Health Initiatives; public sector organizations including the North Central Texas Council of Governments; retailers including Hot Topic, Inc., Smart & Final Inc. and JM Family Enterprises, Inc.; and other mid-sized enterprises including Unified Western Grocers, Crowley Maritime, BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co., Feld Entertainment and Education Management Corporation. "Just as athletes emulate the training regimens of champions, this program provides a clear regimen for our mid-market customers to follow to achieve world-class performance," said Brad Callahan, executive vice president, Professional Services, Lawson Software. "As a result, organizations can more confidently say they've achieved real business outcomes from their investments in Lawson applications. No other business software vendor has a program like this one." The Hackett World-Class Passport program provides Lawson customers with world-class insights structured in a manner that is effective, meaningful and affordable for mid-market companies. It includes the following components: Empirically Based Research -- The Hackett Group's Book of Numbers(R), providing detailed insights into the proven approaches in use at world-class organizations. -- Hackett Perspectives, empirical research papers containing data, insights and advice on key business topics. Business Performance Measurement -- Online benchmarks, called the Passport World-Class Scorecard, that enable Lawson customers to objectively compare themselves to peers and world-class organizations. Peer Learning and Networking -- Member-led Webcasts, Hackett's annual Best Practices conference and regular member forums enable peer learning and networking among executives. On-demand Support -- Hackett advisor inquiry provides quick access to fact-based advice on proven approaches and methods to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of key business processes. With its vast information resources, The Hackett Group--together with Lawson--provides Lawson customers best practice insights into how industry leaders leverage technology, optimize business practices, organization and governance models, business partnering strategies and strategic alignment to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness. The next phase of the Hackett World-Class Passport program will not only enable a comparison with world-class companies but also a comparison of business process improvements among Lawson customers. 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. With headquarters 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 company's ability to realize synergies and revenue opportunities anticipated from the Intentia International acquisition; 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.