State of Ohio has Eyes for Giga Information Group's Technology Advisory Services

Business Wire, Sept 9, 1999

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1999--

State government expands use of Giga for information technology

decision support and analysis

Giga Information Group (NASDAQ:GIGX) today announced that the state of Ohio has signed a two-year contract for Giga's information technology (IT) research and decision-support services. The agreement, valued at $940,000, is in addition to a Year 2000 "best practices" contract, bringing the total value of Giga's work with the state of Ohio to more than $1 million.

Giga Information Group will provide the state of Ohio with a wide range of services, including access to GigaWeb, Giga's Internet-based information portal to IT-related content generated by Giga analysts and other sources; the ability to submit inquiries about a broad range of IT topics to all Giga senior analysts; participation in Giga teleconferences and briefings; on-site consulting by Giga senior analysts; in-depth best practices research from Giga's ePractices service; and participation in Giga conferences and events.

"Since we first started working with them, Giga has provided valuable information in a responsive, timely manner," said Margaret Theibert, Acting Administrator, Office of IS Policy and Planning, Ohio Department of Administrative Services. "Giga's team, from sales to the research analysts and field analysts, has worked very hard to meet our needs, and we depend on their analysis and strategic advice when we plan and implement technology solutions."

Based on feedback from the state of Ohio, Giga has already helped shorten decision-making time frames, explored new technology products and services, identified strengths and weaknesses of technology products and reviewed vendor claims of product capabilities. In addition, Giga analysts have provided a second opinion on key technology strategies, helped to reduce the learning curve for new technologies and products and provided a source for industry best practices.

"I visited the state of Ohio facilities recently, and was both gratified by their reaction to the excellence of Giga's research support during the past year and impressed by the sophistication of their people and operations," said Gideon I. Gartner, chairman of Giga Information Group, Inc. "We are committed to providing the best technology research and advice possible in order to help them continue their technology leadership."

About Giga Information Group

Giga Information Group (NASDAQ:GIGX) provides objective research, advice and continuous coaching on technology for e-Business. Giga's integrated suite of offerings helps clients make strategic decisions about the technologies, people and processes needed to excel in the new digital economy. Emphasizing close interaction between analysts and clients, Giga delivers support with the speed and scope necessary for e-Business.

Giga, founded by Gideon I. Gartner, began providing services in April 1996 and now has a global client base encompassing more than 1,000 organizations and over 118,000 licensed users. Its enterprise clients include companies that use, sell and invest in technology.

Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Giga has 10 other offices covering the Americas and Europe. Giga is also represented by distributors in other areas of the world. The Company's Web site can be accessed at http://www.gigaweb.com. The Company's logo with the name Giga Information Group is a registered trademark of Giga Information Group, Inc.