Authoria Recognized for Driving Next-Generation Features in Talent Management Suites

Business Wire, Jan 22, 2008

Groundbreaking Bersin & Associates Study Gives Authoria Top Ratings for Experience and Completeness of Vision

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Authoria, Inc., the leader in integrated talent management solutions, today announced that a new report by research and advisory firm Bersin & Associates has recognized Authoria for "powerful next-generation features" in its Authoria Talent Management suite. The company also earned the highest possible rating - four stars - in the key dimensions of "Experience" and "Completeness of Vision."

The research study, Talent Management Suites: Market Realities, Implementation Experiences, and Vendor Profiles, describes the need for talent-management solutions to move beyond automation of familiar HR processes and become "a decision support tool designed for daily use" by managers and employees. Authoria's software is praised for "improving the manager and employee experience, as well as incorporating powerful analytical views (such as dashboards, scorecards, 'baseball card' and side-by-side comparisons)."

The Bersin & Associates study identifies several key Authoria differentiators, including:

* an emphasis on the central role the line-of-business manager plays in achieving talent-management success;

* the functional depth of Authoria's "portfolio of multiple best-of-breed solutions"; and

* a unified platform that enables "deep and meaningful integration between talent-management functions."

"In a market saturated with vendors, Authoria offers a distinct competitive advantage by providing one of the only fully integrated, on-demand suites capable of supporting the business requirements of large enterprises," said Leighanne Levensaler, principal analyst for Bersin & Associates.

"We are delighted by the recognition this research provides for Authoria's vision of effective talent management, and for our delivery of innovative solutions that make this vision a reality," said Tod Loofbourrow, Authoria Chairman and CEO. "The next generation of talent management systems must empower not only HR professionals, but also line-of-business managers and employees, to make a significant difference in business results through better management of talent. Authoria is delivering solutions today that embody this approach, to more than four million managers and employees at many of the world's largest enterprises."

The Bersin & Associates study credits Authoria with "comprehensive" support - the highest level possible - of four core talent-management applications: recruitment management, performance management, career and succession management, and compensation management. Authoria Talent Management, the company's on-demand integrated talent management solution, includes these functions as well as benefit/policy communications.

In compiling this research, Bersin & Associates conducted interviews with leaders from HR and newly established talent-management functions, and briefings with providers of talent management suites. Additionally, the firm administered an extensive, quantitative survey capturing responses from more than 700 HR, learning and development, and IT executives, to identify the key drivers, adoption levels, business challenges, and trends in implementing integrated talent-management systems.

About Authoria

Authoria[R] helps the world's most competitive employers achieve superior business results, by optimizing the way they recruit, develop, compensate, retain, and engage top talent. Designed for business managers as well as HR professionals, the company's integrated talent management solutions enable more effective recruiting, performance management, compensation management, and succession planning across an organization. Authoria serves more than 300 large organizations and 4 million managers and employees with our on-demand Internet-based solutions. Customer companies include Aetna, Boeing, and Reuters. For more information, visit www.authoria.com.

Note to editors: Authoria and the Authoria logo are registered trademarks, and Authoria Talent Management is a trademark of Authoria, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other product names and references contained herein remain the service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners.