Actuate Announces Flexible Framework; Professional Services Solution Delivers Affordable Self Service Reporting for All Users

Business Wire, Nov 7, 2005

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Actuate Corporation (NASDAQ:ACTU), the world leader in Enterprise Reporting Applications, today announced availability of the Flexible Framework, developed by e.Services, Actuate's Professional Services group. The Flexible Framework allows Actuate customers to create Enterprise Reporting Applications that can be easily customized by their end users. The Flexible Framework consists of pre-built components, functional libraries and best practices that are available to customers as a services engagement. Experienced e.Services consultants work closely with the customer project team to assist in deploying a highly scalable and adaptable reporting solution, designed to meet the wide range of structured and unstructured reporting needs that exist in most business applications, including end user self-service reporting and ad hoc reporting.

The majority of organizations today are forced to employ a 'one size fits all' model to ensure the manageability of their reporting applications. The disadvantage of this approach is that end users do not get the information they need in the format that they need it, or that trained power users are given the task of satisfying ad hoc reporting requests. The goal of the Flexible Framework is to manageably support a custom user interface to allow end users to create their own ad-hoc reports with minimal intervention from an IT resource. Since custom applications are unique, the Flexible Framework provides a highly decoupled architecture that facilitates the customization of each application component, including user interface, report design and metadata.

The Flexible Framework provides self-service capabilities while reducing the total number of report designs required to deliver the various combinations of end user requests. Reports built on and deployed through the Flexible Framework support rapid and dynamic customization through an open and metadata-based architecture.

The major components of the Flexible Framework include a web based user interface, metadata schema and an intelligent, modular report design. Each component is platform-independent, decoupled from other components, and can be easily customized and tailored for specific needs. As part of the Flexible Framework engagement, e.Services professionals work closely with the customer project team during the design and analysis phase and provide guidance on design and implementation.

The benefits of the Flexible Framework include:

--A broader base of individuals, including non-programmers, can design sophisticated reports because a metadata-based architecture insulates the report developer from the complex details of the underlying components such as the user interface and report design.

--A set of reusable building blocks are used to develop highly customized applications.

--It ensures that best practices are adhered to in the organic and modular growth of the reporting application.

--An easily extensible architecture that poses no limitations to the features that can be added.

"Actuate has had a great response to the Flexible Framework from our customers, and we believe that we have delivered an approach to reporting that addresses a very broad range of applications," said Matt Kuckuk, vice president of e.Services for Actuate. "The aims of business intelligence and reporting are to get people the information they need, with the greatest flexibility, at a reasonable cost. We understand the pressures that companies are under today to deliver rapid ROI on their applications, as well as improve customer service and deliver efficient business performance. The Flexible Framework enables us to help customers reach these business objectives quickly and in a sustainable fashion."

To Find out More

The Flexible Framework is immediately available to any current Actuate customer. Actuate e.Services will be happy to assist you in providing more details on the Flexible Framework and its many capabilities. For detailed information please email eservices_info@actuate.com.

About Actuate Corporation

Actuate Corporation is the world leader in Enterprise Reporting Applications that ensure 100% adoption by users. Actuate's Enterprise Reporting Application Platform is the foundation on which Global 9000 organizations (companies with annual revenues greater than $1 billion) and packaged application software vendors develop intuitive, Web portal-like reporting and analytic applications that empower 100% of users with decision-making information. These applications are deployed inside and outside the firewall to improve corporate performance across a range of business functions including financial management, sales, human resource management, and customer self-service. When tested against other business intelligence products, Actuate's Enterprise Reporting Application Platform has been proven to offer industry-leading scalability and the lowest Total Cost of Ownership. Actuate has over 3,000 customers globally in a range of industries including financial services, pharmaceuticals, insurance, and distribution services, as well as the government sector.