Arthur Andersen Brings eBusiness Solutions to Market With IBM Initiative; Professional Services Giant Pairs With E-Business Software Leader

Business Wire, July 14, 1999

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 14, 1999--

Announcing a global initiative with e-business leader IBM, professional services giant Arthur Andersen unveils today its plan to become a leading provider of comprehensive e-business consulting services. Arthur Andersen's eBusiness practice will work with clients to design and implement integrated e-commerce and business intelligence solutions, using IBM's e-business enabling technologies, including IBM Net.Commerce(a), WebSphere(a) and Visual Warehouse(a). These solutions will target several industries, including retail, communications, healthcare and financial services. In addition, the firm will help clients address critical e-business issues such as risk management and security, as well as tax, legal and corporate finance planning and implementation.

"Our approach has been to partner with clients in the broadest way possible on strategy, solution design and implementation. IBM's e-business technology provides us with the flexibility to customize solutions to meet the needs of the customer, not just the IT department," said Tom Frederick, partner, Arthur Andersen's eBusiness practice.

Jocelyne Attal, vice president of Worldwide Channel Sales and Marketing, IBM Software Group, added, "Arthur Andersen's client relationships and experience with integrated business solutions position the firm to be a valued resource in helping customers benefit from IBM technology. Those strengths, plus IBM's secure, flexible software, will provide customers the tools they need to successfully take their businesses online."

As part of the IBM agreement, Arthur Andersen will focus 250 of its professionals - who have specialized industry experience and skills in business strategy, design, solution implementation, tax, finance and organizational change - on bringing IBM's e-business technology to organizations worldwide.

Arthur Andersen's eBusiness practice deploys a full range of services to help clients take their businesses online. Services include strategy development; solution design and implementation; overall electronic commerce risk management and security; and tax, legal and corporate finance planning and implementation.

About Arthur Andersen

Arthur Andersen is a global professional services organization consisting of over 100 member firms in 81 countries. Its more than 70,000 people are united by a single worldwide operating structure and a common culture that fosters innovation, knowledge sharing and quality service. This unique "one-firm" approach qualifies the people of Arthur Andersen to serve clients by bringing together any of more than 40 services in a way that transcends geographic borders and organizational lines. Arthur Andersen's people provide effective business solutions to more than 100,000 clients around the world. Since its beginning in 1913, Arthur Andersen has realized 85 years of uninterrupted growth. With revenues over $6 billion, it stands today as a world leader in professional services. Arthur Andersen is a business unit of Andersen Worldwide.

(a) Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.