Hurwitz Group Report Illuminates Link Between Enterprise Integration and eBusiness Opportunities

Business Wire, Dec 20, 1999

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 20, 1999

Leading Analyst Firm Identifies Transition to eBusiness as Significant

Business Challenge in Post Y2K Era

The Hurwitz Group, a leading analyst and advisory firm focused on strategic eBusiness applications, recently published a report identifying corporate eBusiness transition as a significant challenge companies must resolve to remain competitive in the year 2000 and beyond. Based on a survey of one hundred mid- and senior-level IT and business managers in the high-tech, financial services, manufacturing and telecom industries, the report recommends that companies must have a strong eBusiness strategy in place by the end of next year, to become more strategic, integrated organizations or risk being left behind.

Rather than risk competitive advantage, 89% of those interviewed indicated that they are moving to or currently implementing eBusiness strategies, with 90% citing their Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) projects as key components in the process, enabling them to quickly and securely transition to eBusiness. In addition to enabling companies to make this crucial transition to eBusiness, EAI solutions provide streamlined operations, rapid integration of customer data, and faster time to market. Written by David Kelly, Vice President, Application Strategies, the Hurwitz Group, the report is now available at www.activesw.com, the Web site of Active Software (Nasdaq:ASWX), a leading provider of eBusiness integration products.

"eBusiness integration is essential to achieving a high Return On Opportunity (ROO) and generating new top-line revenue growth," said David Kelly, senior vice president of analyst services, Hurwitz Group, Inc. "Hurwitz Group's recent survey revealed that e-Business integration solutions play an important role in achieving increases in revenue by increasing customer satisfaction levels in a company's installed base and by attracting new customers through web-enabled channels, and better customer relationship management."

Today's fast-paced global economy requires companies to increase their customer relationship management capabilities and have a faster time to market, while simultaneously reducing costs and increasing efficiencies. Of those who have implemented EAI projects, 50% point to reduced costs and faster time to market as crucial factors influencing the purchase decision, and another 67% cite improved efficiencies as the primary factor. The report's key findings indicate that the major drivers of eBusiness Integration solutions fulfill these needs by offering enhanced customer responsiveness and flexibility in adapting to changing market and business conditions. Since customer-facing applications motivate eBusiness initiatives, the majority of respondents identified online sales, customer management and Web self-service as the three most significant eBusiness capabilities, all of which increase customer satisfaction levels and in turn increase revenues.

"The Hurwitz Group's key findings confirm the importance of eBusiness Integration in providing the IT backbone for companies as they evolve into 21st century eBusinesses," said Jim Green, CEO, Active Software, which provides eBusiness Integration solutions for over 130 customers. "Demand for eBusiness Integration solutions is evident in the explosive growth of the integration marketplace. Active Software addresses and solves the eBusiness Integration challenge for corporations worldwide, offering the only solution which enables companies to automate business processes inside the enterprise as well as with business-to-business trading partners and customers. This solution enables companies to link both public and private business processes over the Internet."

For more information on the report, please visit the Active Software Web site at www.activesw.com.

The Hurwitz Group

The Hurwitz Group is the leading analyst and advisory firm focused on strategic eBusiness applications. The Hurwitz Group partners with clients to enable their success in applying electronic business strategies for maximum growth and competitive advantage. Utilizing proven methodologies and best practices, the Hurwitz Group helps clients prepare for future success and identify the requirements needed to achieve it. Through in-depth research and industry insight, the Hurwitz Group helps clients re-examine their current business to determine how it must change in order for them to excel in an eBusiness environment. Most importantly, taking both a business and technology perspective, the Hurwitz Group provides clients with a pragmatic road map for assessing, defining and implementing an eBusiness strategy.

Active Software

Founded in 1995, Active Software, Inc, (Nasdaq:ASWX) is a leading provider of eBusiness integration software products that enable the integration of enterprise software applications within and across the extended enterprise. Active Software has more than 130 customers in industries such as telecommunications, financial services, government, technology, utilities, distribution, manufacturing and transportation. Active Software's headquarters are in Santa Clara, Calif. For more information, visit the company Web site at www.activesw.com.