Idea Integration Achieves Software Engineering Institute CMM 3 Maturity Rating; Idea Leads e-Business Industry in Achieving CMM Rating

Business Wire, Sept 6, 2000

Business Editors & Technology Writers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2000

Idea Integration, the e-business solutions unit of Modis Inc., the $1 billion IT subsidiary of Modis Professional Services (NYSE:MPS), today announced that its Idea National Center of Excellence for RoadMap(TM) Methodologies has earned a Software Capability Maturity Model (CMM) Level 3 rating from the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute (SEI). This makes Idea one of the first e-business solutions companies to receive this esteemed rating.

"Idea Integration has now been officially evaluated as operating at CMM Level 3," said Dr. Gene McGuire, SEI authorized lead evaluator. "Their continual focus on quality and performance improvement is evident in every aspect of their operation."

"In the past year Idea Integration has shown tremendous commitment to enhancing their organizational standards and methodologies as their core business has transitioned to e-business, data warehousing, and enterprise solution types of projects," said McGuire. "They have systematically tailored their Idea RoadMap methodologies to accommodate these new business opportunities. As a result, Idea is now able to offer their customers a solid CMM Level 3 approach to software development, implementation and integration. They clearly are leaders in their field in this respect."

The Capability Maturity Model for Software is a framework of software development and project management principles and practices, intended to help organizations improve their ability to meet cost, schedule, and deliverable functionality goals.

The Level 3 rating (out of 5 levels) is earned by achieving documented improvements in project planning and control with emphasis on documentation, standardization, and integration of practices on all projects. In order to attain each level of maturity rating, companies must pass an independent evaluation of the quality of their software development capability, processes, and products.

"Achieving CMM Level 3 was a significant accomplishment for Idea," said Amjad Hussain, director of the Idea National Center of Excellence for RoadMap Methodologies.

"This rating speaks highly of our ability to manage large e-business projects, to build strong architectures, and to provide solid solutions for our clients on a consistent basis."

The implementation and use within the organization of the Idea RoadMap, a proprietary software development and project management methodology, is the foundation for the achievement of the CMM Level 3 rating. The RoadMap is a comprehensive knowledge base of best practices, standards, procedures, and methodologies, which can be applied to a broad range of information technology projects and initiatives. The Idea RoadMap methodologies were developed by the Idea National Center of Excellence for RoadMap Methodologies.

"Less than 18% of all organizations evaluated achieve a CMM Level 3 rating," said Alan Snyder, chief operating officer of Idea. "The Level 3 rating establishes Idea as a leader in quality of service provided to clients in the e-commerce solutions industry."

About Idea Integration

Idea Integration, the e-business solutions unit of Modis, Inc., is a leading Internet solutions provider. Idea specializes in solution areas including e-business strategy, creative design, CRM, e-application development, business intelligence, B2B solutions, EAI, and enterprise solutions to deliver innovative, end-to-end e-business solutions to Fortune 1000 companies and global businesses. Idea Integration has a presence in 19 markets throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, with over 1,300 technology, strategy, and creative professionals. For more information, please visit www.idea.com.