Six Sigma Advantage, Inc. and iSixSigma Partner To Advance Software Quality Through Focused Six Sigma Portal

Business Wire, March 25, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ROCKLAND, Mass. and RIDGEFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 2003

Six Sigma Advantage, Inc. and iSixSigma LLC today announced a strategic alliance to launch an internet portal focused specifically on the software and IT application of Six Sigma -- a rigorous, data-driven method for process and quality improvement. The primary purpose for this co-branded portal (http://Software.iSixSigma.com) is to facilitate improvements in software quality and efficiency by providing free and easy access to educational and reference materials, case studies, best practices and other information designed for software and IT professionals.

"Today's software and IT organizations face tough challenges," said Bruce Hayes, a Managing Partner of Six Sigma Advantage, "including concerns over software defects, late projects, time to market, and significant cost overruns. Industry experience clearly shows that new technologies alone will not solve these problems. Meeting these challenges and improving service quality and effectiveness will require a new knowledge base and access to relevant resources, especially Six Sigma. By aligning our respective content and technical expertise, Six Sigma Advantage, Inc. and iSixSigma will assist software professionals in finding and using these resources to create sustainable change."

Motorola, Honeywell, General Electric Company and many other early supporters of the Six Sigma methodology achieved impressive cost savings and productivity improvement across many industries. In 2000 Six Sigma Advantage, Inc. began working with customers to translate this methodology into the language of the software and IT industry. Six Sigma Advantage experts, led by Managing Partners Gary Gack, Dave Hallowell, and Bruce Hayes, have successfully introduced the approach to some of the leading companies in this industry.

"The iSixSigma/Six Sigma Advantage, Inc. software portal leverages the strengths of two industry leaders to provide the resources that software and IT professionals need to successfully address the greatest challenges of software development," said Michael Cyger, Managing Director of iSixSigma. " We hope that our combined efforts will transform the way software is developed and deployed around the world."

The iSixSigma/Six Sigma Advantage, Inc. software portal features an interactive discussion forum, original and insightful articles, newsletters, free tools, professional development and other useful resources. Original article submissions are welcomed from Six Sigma and industry experts, consultants and others interested in sharing information and improving software quality.

iSixSigma and Six Sigma Advantage, Inc. share a common vision to promote the use of the software portal as a global learning and communications platform for improving processes and products across the software industry, with the goal to create a more efficient, cost effective and higher quality system for delivering software and IT products and services. This announcement is the second iSixSigma industry portal launch this year. In February iSixSigma announced its healthcare portal in alliance with GE Medical Systems.

About Six Sigma Advantage, Inc.

Six Sigma Advantage, Inc. offers a full range of Six Sigma training and deployment support for software and IT developers and providers. These offerings include Executive, Champion, and Project Selection workshops, Black Belt, Green Belt, and Yellow Belt certification, and other special focus workshops. Additional information about Six Sigma Advantage, Inc. can be found at http://www.6siga.com.

About iSixSigma

iSixSigma.com is the industry leading B2B information portal and marketplace at the cutting-edge of the quality and management professions, and is frequented by more than 70% of the Fortune 100 companies in America. Heralded as 'head and shoulders above all other Six Sigma-related sites', iSixSigma services over 350,000 worldwide visitors each month and has won numerous awards and distinctions. Visit iSixSigma on the web at http://www.iSixSigma.com and the healthcare portal at http://Software.iSixSigma.com.