Andersen Consulting Extends Alliance with SAP AG to Public Sector to Fuel eGovernment

Business Wire, Dec 6, 2000

Business Editors

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 6, 2000

Andersen Consulting, which will be renamed Accenture on 01.01.01, announced today that it is extending its global alliance with SAP AG (NYSE ADR: SAP), a leading provider of inter-enterprise software solutions, to bring web-based solutions to the federal, state and local government and higher education markets.

"Governments, such as Pennsylvania, which recently purchased the SAP software for a statewide project, NASA and the Defense Logistics Agency, and higher education institutions see the potential of the new Internet-enabled generation of enterprise solutions for their operations," said Steve Rohleder, managing partner of the Andersen Consulting USA Government practice. "Andersen Consulting and SAP have the skills, products, and public sector experience to provide a foundation on which Pennsylvania and other public sector clients can rely as they undertake these revolutionary eGovernment projects."

In tandem with this enhanced relationship with SAP in the public sector, Andersen Consulting also announced plans to significantly expand the number of consultants serving governments and institutions of higher education, who are trained and experienced on SAP(TM) enterprise business solutions. The two organizations will build upon their long-standing working relationship in the commercial sector and the $389.9 million Business Systems Modernization contract recently awarded to Andersen Consulting by the Defense Logistics Agency, where SAP will lie at the core of the solution.

Among the many clients benefiting from Andersen Consulting and SAP working together are Defense Logistics Agency, Queensland Government Corporate Services Agency, Subaru-Isuzu Automotive, Ericsson Mobile Communications and Multibras.

About SAP

SAP is a market leader of inter-enterprise software solutions that enable organizations of all sizes to fully engage their employees, customers and partners to capitalize upon the new Internet economy. SAP R/3 is the foundation for companies to benefit from the world of e-business with mySAP.com. Its web site is www.sap.com.

About Andersen Consulting

On January 1, 2001, Andersen Consulting, the $8.9 billion global management and technology consulting organization, will change its name to Accenture (pronounced: ak-SEN-chure, similar to "adventure" and stressing "accent" "future"). The firm is reinventing itself to become the market maker, architect and builder of the new economy, bringing innovations to improve the way the world works and lives. More than 70,000 people in 48 countries deliver a wide range of specialized capabilities and solutions to clients across all industries. Under its strategy, the firm is building a network of businesses to meet the full range of client needs -- consulting, technology, outsourcing, alliances and venture capital. Andersen Consulting's home page address is http://www.ac.com.

Renamed. Redefined. Reborn. 01/01/01