SLIEDRECHT, The Netherlands, Feb. 13, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Unit 4 Agresso NV, software developer and supplier of secure Business Information solutions, today introduces its new generation Mobile Services based on Microsoft's .NET framework. These services will allow users of AGRESSO software to improve real-time process support considerably as well as enhance the ways in which information may be communicated and shared among employees, customers and partners. Bottom line: through improved process management invoice cycle times will decrease and via better communication management, billable resource rates will increase. Mobile services will be delivered as an integrated part of AGRESSO Business World, Unit 4 Agresso's international flagship for mid- to large-sized Professional Services and Public Sector organisations.
Moving Enterprises Into Real Time
The current trend within the Professional Services market and Public Sector is clearly showing the need for more real-time processing, data management and better communication. Consequently, new technologies and capabilities are arising that are to cope with this challenge. To obtain real-time information, companies have to make sure that processes are running smoothly, transactions are being processed promptly, that they are kept fully informed and that their communications infrastructure is open and available to all relevant people. Mobile and wireless solutions are emerging technologies that will contribute to such requirements.
Flexible, affordable and manageable As an early adopter of the Microsoft .NET framework Unit 4 Agresso has been able to enrich its development process, speed up production and introduce new capabilities, which will be of benefit to Unit 4 Agresso's customers in many ways. The AGRESSO Mobile Services are a first example of that. Utilising .NET, AGRESSO Mobile Services will be available for at least 75 popular devices, such as a WAP-phone or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). Users will be able to enter data (timesheets, expenses, and requisitions), search for resources or customer information, check the status of an item or receive personalised tasks, alerts and reports. Functionality is similar on all devices, which will enable customers to work with the device of their choice for the maximum amount of flexibility.
The cost of ownership will be low, as all functionality will be provided at the point of connection, removing the need for installation per device. Customers will benefit from this centralised way of deployment, which will ensure the maximum level of user authorisation, authentication and data protection: the user only gets access to the data he is authorised to see or use.
Erwin Visser, marketing manager for Microsoft Netherlands: "We are very proud to see that Unit 4 Agresso is able to deliver new innovative products so close after the official launch of the Microsoft.NET framework. Our strategic cooperation with Unit 4 Agresso within the 'Microsoft .NET-early adopter program' was valuable in many ways. Again Unit 4 Agresso is a true show case for us, underlining the power and benefits of .NET technology for mid- to large-sized organisations".
A new breed of PSA solution AGRESSO Business World is considered to be one of a new breed of PSA (Professional Services Automation) solutions (Aberdeen Group, January 2002). - one that can provide end-to-end functionality across the services enterprise. This functionality serves both front-office requirements (consultants or other billable resources), back-office administrative needs (human resources, finance, accounting, etc.) and any organization wishing to manage their human and project based resources effectively.
Ton Dobbe, industry marketing manager at Unit 4 Agresso: "Our philosophy is that services-based organisations must be able to fully utilize their capacity to change and evolve in today's dynamic business environment. The introduction of this next generation set of Mobile Services supports this mission, while at the same time it strengthens the innovative image of Unit 4 Agresso as a leading player in the Professional Services Automation and Public Sector markets."