Cambridge Technology Partners launches first-of-its-kind on-line community aimed at IT strategy professionals

Business Wire, Oct 21, 1996

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 1996--

Cambridge Information Network Provides Immediate, Interactive Forum

for Addressing Real-World Business and Technology Challenges

Cambridge Technology Partners (Nasdaq: CATP), a leading systems integration and management consulting firm, today launched Cambridge Information Network (CIN) on the World Wide Web. CIN is the industrys first Internet-based community specifically designed for senior technology decision-makers at Fortune 1000 organizations. It represents the newest way businesses are leveraging the power of the Internet: gaining business insight and perspective from peers on-line.

CIN was designed around several key findings from Cambridges market research efforts aimed at identifying behavioral patterns of CIOs: Senior technology professionals turn to peers as their primary source of information for making business decisions; 35 percent turn to the Internet; 44 percent turn to industry publications and 39 percent refer to industry analysts. Senior technology professionals regard peer referrals as the best source of information in making vendor decisions. Fifty-two percent of senior technology professionals spend time on the Internet every day

"Today, technology decision-makers have to sift through mountains of articles, research data, and marketing material to find intelligent answers to their questions," said Paul McNabb, founder and publisher of CIN and vice president at Cambridge Technology Partners. "The value of CIN to the IT community comes not only from information, but from insight and perspective. CIN subscribers have 24-hour access to real-world opinions and perspectives on business and technology not exclusively from Cambridge or any other one source but from a large community of peers who share common business goals, interests and experiences."

The Web's ubiquity and easy access make it the ideal platform for creating virtual communities such as CIN and facilitating the rapid exchange of knowledge. Because the Internet is global, it enables easy, immediate access to a body of information resources that is virtually unlimited in scope. In contrast to traditional industry conferences, seminars or events, the insights provided by CIN are constantly evolving and more immediate.

"CIN is the perfect addition to Cambridges existing suite of services," said James K. Sims, President and CEO of Cambridge Technology Partners. "Cambridge is not only a leading deployer of IT-based business solutions, but also an industry thought leader in applying technology to advanced business strategies. CIN provides access to Cambridges tremendous intellectual capital, and a focal point for stimulating knowledge transfer throughout the IT strategy community."

"CIN subscribers can engage in true learning relationships with peers and reap the intellectual benefits of traditional public discourse but within an electronic, interactive venue," added McNabb.

"CIN is an important event in the imminent migration of the Internet business community towards services that deliver people and perspective rather than just content, " said Stan Lepeak, program director with industry analyst META Group, Inc., Stamford, Conn. "Cambridge, with its management educational services, experience in developing innovative IT solutions, and its understanding of the challenges facing CIOs, is well positioned to succeed in this new market."

The new service is structured as a web community in which interpersonal communication is facilitated among a community of Internet users. Cambridge Technology Partners acts as an unbiased moderator for CINs content and exchanges, while offering a valuable perspective on the issues facing technology decision-makers.

Some of CINs founding users and contributors are from F1000 companies such as Pacific Bell Information Systems, Tambrands, Cisco Systems and Federal Express. Robert Browning, IT director of BUPA International, leading provider of healthcare services in the UK, reported, "Cambridge has come up with a good idea. It's very useful to have a forum for sharing views on current management issues with peers across the globe."

Cambridge brings to CIN in-depth experience with hundreds of IT engagements as well as the insight from its successful Lyceum educational programs. The Cambridge project methodology comprises a rapid consensus-driven approach to systems design and development and has emphasized the human component to the implementation of technology for optimal long-term success. Over the past two years, the company has focused much of its training, educational and staff resources on harnessing the business potential of the Internet.

Founded in 1991, Cambridge Technology Partners is one of the fastest growing companies in the systems integration industry, with a proven track record of developing and deploying client/server distributed applications, a number of which are Internet-based, to more than 500 organizations worldwide. Working within a unique fixed time/fixed price model, Cambridge's systems development expertise also includes package implementation and educational services. Cambridge has expanded to 26 offices globally and has more than 1,600 employees today.