META Group and enamics to Provide e-Enterprise Modeling Tools and a Knowledgebase for Global 2000 Companies

Business Wire, Dec 13, 1999

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 1999--

META Group, Inc. (NASDAQ; METG) today announced that it has entered into a strategic relationship with enamics, Inc., the world's first e-Enterprise modeling company. The relationship includes a $1.5 million equity investment by META Group in enamics, and enamics will join the META Group affiliate program. Together, the two companies will provide a suite of modeling tools and a knowledgebase that Global 2000 firms will be able to use to create operating models combining brick-and-mortar operations with Net commerce capabilities throughout the enterprise.

Under the terms of the strategic relationship, META Group will offer enamics' e-Enterprise modeling capabilities to its own clients, while enamics will incorporate META Group research into its modeling tools and methodologies. In addition, Dale Kutnick, META Group president, CEO, and co-research director, has been appointed to enamics' board of directors, while Faisal Hoque, enamics founder, chairman, and CEO, has been named a META Group Research Fellow.

"Forging this relationship with enamics is a logical extension of our existing e-business strategy offerings," said Kutnick. "On the heels of our number-one ranking for e-business strategy offerings in a recent InformationWeek survey, we're committed to further strengthening these offerings with the addition of enamics' proven modeling tools to our product portfolio. These modeling tools are similar to computer-aided design (CAD/CAM) software for the enterprise. They enable customers to define, visualize, and validate their business models, process and application models, and architectural infrastructure."

According to META Group, this relationship comes at a time when most companies are struggling to develop e-business strategies. Recent research by META Group indicates that, despite the hype about Net business, most companies are still in the earliest stages and lack effective e-business strategies. Efforts to date have focused on consumer e-commerce applications rather than the top-to-bottom realignment of business and technology necessary to become an e-Enterprise.

The knowledgebase will offer industry- and application-specific information regarding business trends, application models, and architectural standards for e-Enterprises worldwide. Using the modeling tools and the knowledgebase, clients of enamics and META Group will be able to more rapidly:

-- Translate e-Enterprise vision into an agile business operating

model

-- Define reusable business and technology architectural assets

-- Maximize return on investment and minimize risk by

independently verifying strategic decisions before large

investments are made

-- Create and capture a business-specific knowledgebase for

continuous improvement

-- Use the e-Enterprise as a communication vehicle to align

business and technology initiatives throughout the organization

"The traditional business that transforms itself in this manner will be able to respond repeatedly to changing customer demands faster than any competitor. The ability to launch and learn and launch again is what will make these e-Enterprises the great competitors of this age," said Faisal Hoque, founder, chairman, and CEO of enamics.

The companies stated that their jointly offered products and services would fall into four distinct categories:

-- Modeling and simulation tools (e-Enterprise business process,

application, and architecture models)

-- An industry- and application-specific knowledgebase

-- Modeling and methodology workshops

-- Retained consulting and training

Faisal Hoque, a recognized Net commerce guru, also founded Boston-based EC Cubed in 1996. His new book, e-Enterprise, will be released by Cambridge University Press early next year. Stamford, CT, is the home base for Hoque's newest company, enamics.

For more information on META Group and enamics, log on to www.metagroup.com or www.enamics.com.

About META Group

META Group helps companies make better information technology (IT) decisions by providing research and unlimited analyst consultation relevant to their specific business needs. Offering advisory services, consulting/ benchmarking, and publications that span the full spectrum of IT, META Group addresses the latest technologies, industry trends, and business challenges. With more than 2,000 client companies worldwide, META Group differentiates itself from other information providers through its commitment to highly personal service, bottom-line answers, and objectivity. To support this promise, META Group maintains a client-to-analyst ratio of 50:1 -- the lowest in the industry -- and reinvests more than 50% of its revenue back into research and client services. For details, connect with www.metagroup.com.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.