http:// 2011-06-07T05:19:00Z 2011-06-07T05:19:00Z australian-enterprises-increasingly-bypassed-on-cloud-adoption

SYDNEY – June 7, 2011 – Avanade, a business technology services provider, today released findings which reveal that the rapid growth in public cloud services is causing growing pains for many organisations. One in four executives says it’s impossible to manage the disparate cloud services within their organisation, while another 73 percent are worried about cloud sprawl. Despite these challenges, the survey shows cloud computing is maturing in the enterprise. “As is true with many forms of technology innovation, consumer technology has a way of secretly creeping into the enterprise and leaving IT in the dark,” said Jeyan Jeevaratnam, Country Manager, Avanade Australia. “Today, public cloud services are no different. The barrier to entry for many cloud capabilities continues to lower and our research shows some are so easy to use, they are outpacing IT’s ability to manage and control them.” One in four respondents says they have personally purchased a cloud service such as online collaboration, document sharing and calendar sharing, without the IT department’s knowledge. While 50 percent of companies report they have policies in place that prohibit such actions, respondents say there are no real deterrents for purchasing cloud services by stealth. In fact, 29 percent report there are no ramifications whatsoever while another 48 percent say it is little more than a warning. Despite these issues, Australian companies are clearly seeing benefits in moving to the cloud. In terms of overall cloud computing adoption, the survey found 71 percent of Australian companies are using some form of cloud services today – a 31 percent growth in adoption since Avanade’s September 2009 survey. Of those organisations that have yet to implement cloud, three-quarters say it’s on the horizon. Companies are increasing investments to secure, manage and support cloud. Executives report they are investing in security solutions as well as people to ensure successful cloud deployments. In fact, 50 percent say they are investing in training for new and current employees to increase expertise in cloud technologies. Companies are looking to move business-critical applications to the cloud. A key indicator of the acceptance and adoption of cloud computing in Australia, executives have moved and are looking to move key business-critical applications into the cloud. Among those who have adopted cloud applications, the top hosted applications are Email (31 percent), HR services (29 percent) and CRM (27 percent). In the next 2 years, companies are looking to move their BI (42 percent), ERP (42 percent) and Collaboration (36 percent) applications into a hosted environment. “It is clear that companies are not taking an all-or-nothing approach when it comes to cloud adoption,” said Jeevaratnam. “The involvement of the C-suite in technology decision-making means a more business-driven approach to IT. As a result, their strategy for cloud adoption may be phased and include a combination of cloud and on-premise applications, dependent on business need.” There is a growing adoption and preference for private cloud. The survey also shows private cloud deployments are growing – especially where critical, differentiating internal operations and customer services are at stake. Today, 43 percent of companies report they utilise private clouds, while an additional 34 percent say they will begin to do so in the next six to 12 months. Further, companies are moving beyond internal employee-facing cloud services to use them with external customers. Many companies report they are now using cloud computing to deliver new products and services to customers, while more than one in five C-level executives believe cloud computing will increase revenues. The “Has Cloud Computing Matured?” survey was conducted by Kelton Research, an independent research firm, in March to April 2011, and surveyed C-level executives, IT decision makers and business unit leaders at top companies located in 18 countries across North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For addition information or to download a copy of the executive summary, please visit http://www.avanade.com/cloud. ### About Avanade Avanade provides business technology services that connect insight, innovation and expertise in Microsoft technologies to help customers realise results. Avanade’s services and solutions help improve performance, productivity and sales for organisations in all industries. The company applies Microsoft expertise from its global network of consultants, drawing on the right mix of onshore, offshore and nearshore skills, which together are designed to help deliver results faster, at lower cost and with less risk. Avanade, which is majority owned by Accenture, was founded in 2000 by Accenture and Microsoft Corporation and serves customers in more than 20 countries worldwide with more than 12,000 professionals. Additional information can be found at www.avanade.com.

2010-11-24T23:58:00Z seasoned-executive-to-lead-avanade-crm-drive-in-australia-and-apac

SEASONED EXECUTIVE TO LEAD AVANADE CRM DRIVE IN AUSTRALIA AND APAC Charlie Wood to lead Microsoft Dynamics CRM service line for company Sydney – November 25, 2010 – Avanade, a business technology service provider, has announced the appointment of Charlie Wood as Avanade’s new Dynamics Service Line Lead, Director for Australia and Asia Pacific. Wood brings proven experience in delivering successful Dynamics CRM implementations to Avanade’s customers across Australia and the Asia Pacific region. Wood’s appointment follows Avanade Australia being named as the Microsoft 2010 President’s Club winner for Dynamics. Avanade was awarded the accolade for demonstrating exceptional business success by optimising the use of Microsoft Dynamics to deliver innovative solutions that exceeded customer expectations. “Today, organisations face challenges in terms of resourcing and time to implementation in deploying Dynamics CRM solutions,” Wood said. “Avanade understands these challenges and helps customers to lower IT costs, improve service levels and make IT a significant contributor in achieving their strategic goals. I’m looking forward to being part of an organisation that really understands this process and how it can help our customers realise results.” Jeyan Jeevaratnam, Managing Director, Avanade Australia said: “Charlie is a key part of our team as Avanade grows its business across the region and accelerates its role as a major force in technology innovation.” Charlie, who has over 15 years of experience in business IT, product management and consulting services will lead a team of solution advisors and architects across the Asia - Pacific region working primarily with Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Prior to joining Avanade, Charlie spent nine years working for Microsoft in the UK, New Zealand and at Microsoft HQ in Redmond, USA. His current role is about driving the Dynamics CRM business and go-to-market strategies for Avanade around the region. About Avanade Avanade provides business technology services that connect insight, innovation and expertise in Microsoft technologies to help customers realize results. Avanade’s services and solutions help improve performance, productivity and sales for organizations in all industries. The company applies Microsoft expertise from its global network of consultants, drawing on the right mix of onshore, offshore and nearshore skills, which together are designed to help deliver results faster, at lower cost and with less risk. Avanade, which is majority owned by Accenture, was founded in 2000 by Accenture and Microsoft Corporation and serves customers in more than 24 countries worldwide with more than 11,000 professionals. Additional information can be found at www.avanade.com. Avanade and the Avanade logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Avanade Inc. Other product, service, or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. # # #

2010-11-16T04:26:00Z global-survey-finds-contradictions-in-senior-executives-minds-about-the-quality-quantity-and-use-of-data-in-business

ADDICTED TO DATA: GLOBAL AVANADE SURVEY REVEALS COMPANIES OVERWHELMED BY DATA BUT STILL WANT MORE Sydney, Australia – November 16, 2010 – Avanade, a business technology services provider, today announced the results of its global survey, “The Business Impact of Big Data,” which examines executive attitudes about how enterprises are managing the exponential growth of data. The survey, conducted by Kelton Research, reveals that companies are suffering so strongly from an overload of data it is creating very real business challenges. Nearly two thirds (62 percent) of Australian C-level executives, IT decision makers and business unit leaders report they are overwhelmed by the amount of data their company manages. Dubbing the data overload “big data”, the research shows many executives report they are often delayed in making important decisions as a result of too much information. Fifty-eight percent of Australian respondents report they have made an inaccurate business decision as a result of bad or outdated data, with 46 percent of those surveyed stating that most data received has been inaccurate. “A company’s data represents its relationship with its customers – their likes, dislikes, how they like to be connected to the organisation,” said Jeyan Jeevaratnam, Managing Director, Avanade Australia. “It is counter-intuitive that too much data is affecting business productivity and effectiveness, but that is what our survey has shown. “Companies must develop a new data usage culture where executives, employees and strategic partners are active participants in managing a meaningful data lifecycle,” continued Jeevaratnam. “This will enable businesses to turn information from data into actionable, accurate business insights.” Data Addiction Despite the challenges created by the proliferation of data, executives report they want more data and they want it faster. One in three executives believe access to even more sources of data would enable them to do their job better, while nearly two thirds (67 percent) of Australian executives say they still want faster access to data. According to the survey, this desire for more data and need for speed is driven by the ability to keep up with customer service expectations. This is in line with companies taking on a more customer-centric business model. “Our research confirms that while speed of access to data is important, understanding the full scope and context of the data is equally important, particularly when trying to make the right business decisions at the right time,” said Jeevaratnam. Executives do recognise there is value in data, from improved business forecasts to reduced uncertainty in decision-making and improved competitive positioning. Fifty-eight percent of Australian companies surveyed believe the flood of data entering the enterprise fundamentally changes the way their businesses operate. Security and CRM With growing data, there is a growing requirement for data security, with 84 percent of Australian executives reporting that they are investing in security solutions or will do so in the next 12 months. When it comes to the most important kinds of data, Australian companies also report that customer relationship and sales information are critical to their strategic decision-making process. They recognise the opportunity to grow their top line revenue by harnessing customer information, and this focus is driving additional technology investments in customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Seventy-six percent of Australian executives have invested or are seriously considering investing in CRM in the next 12 months, higher than the global average (67 percent). Struggle to Derive Business Value The survey also reveals a big data disconnect. Despite the increasing volume of data, pressure to keep up with customer expectations and focus on technology investments, today’s companies are still struggling to see big data as a driver of real business value. On the one hand, executives surveyed say there is value in the data. On the other hand, less than half of respondents of Australian executives – 42 percent – view the available sources of data as a strategic differentiator for their organization. Rather, the majority – 58 percent – consider data as a consequence of doing business. “It’s clear that Australian companies see real potential in learning to leverage big data effectively, but they lack the basic measures to manage it,” said Jeevaratnam. “Avanade’s advice to the organisation of tomorrow is to take a creative, holistic approach to data management that integrates people, processes and technology to manage the big data phenomenon.” For access to further materials, including infographics and video interviews, please visit our interactive media release at http://www.interactivemediarelease.com/Howorth/Avanade. About the research The “Business Impact of Big Data” survey was conducted by Kelton Research, an independent research firm, in August 2010, and surveyed 543 C-level executives, IT decision makers and business unit leaders at top companies located in 17 countries around the world including Australia, US, UK and France. About Avanade Avanade provides business technology services that connect insight, innovation and expertise in Microsoft technologies to help customers realise results. Avanade’s services and solutions help improve performance, productivity and sales for organisations in all industries. The company applies Microsoft expertise from its global network of consultants, drawing on the right mix of onshore, offshore and near-shore skills, which together are designed to help deliver results faster, at lower cost and with less risk. Avanade, which is majority owned by Accenture, was founded in 2000 by Accenture and Microsoft Corporation and has more than 11,000 dedicated resources in more than 24 countries. Additional information can be found at www.avanade.com.MEDIA CONTACTS: Avanade: Luisa Pagilarini, 02 9005 6014, l.pagliarini@avanade.com Agency: Ofa Fitzgibbons, 02 8281 3811, ofa@howorth.com.au

2010-06-07T23:52:31Z new-global-research-finds-australian-executives-rank-second-in-the-world-as-collaborative-team-players

SYDNEY – June 8, 2010 – A recent global survey of attitudes and adoption of collaboration technologies shows that companies perceive clear value from employee collaboration services and software. The survey, commissioned by Avanade, a business technology services provider, showed that more than 80 percent of executives believe that enterprise-wide collaboration is the key to success with almost half of Australian executives spending a significant amount of time collaborating with colleagues and business partners in the workplace The research shows that despite the collaborative nature of Australian executives, a technology gap exists when organisations try to filter information to the right people, at the right time. Australian organisations still continue to use traditional methods of communication, such as telephone calls and email, rather than implementing the right collaboration technologies, indicating there is still room for improvement. The study, conducted by Kelton Research, interviewed more than 500 C-level executives, IT decision makers and business unit leaders from 17 countries. The global results further highlight how collaboration is impacting the enterprise, including that businesses are enabling greater collaboration across globalised workforces and empowering employees to solve business issues more efficiently. “Technologies that facilitate better collaboration are changing business cultures,” said Jeyan Jeevaratnam, Country Manager, Avanade Australia. “In an age of real-time information and instant expectations, meaningful collaboration that involves both people and technology can mean the difference between success and failure. Avanade views collaboration technologies as essential to the future of the workplace. It allows companies to connect with employees, partners and customers in new and productive ways, from anywhere in the world, to enhance business performance.” The research illustrates that businesses are enabling greater collaboration across global workforces and empowering employees to solve business issues more efficiently. Among the findings: Australia is a nation of collaborators: Forty-five percent of Australian executives surveyed spent up to and more than 40 hours per week collaborating preferring to collaborate as part of a team. Collaboration enables Australian businesses to provide best practices: In order to deliver the best outcomes, forty-two percent cent of Australian Executives believe collaboration delivers the greatest results. Technology is helping Australian businesses address the pressure to innovate: Notwithstanding the stabilisation of the local economy, 78 per cent of Australian executives still feel the pressure to innovate and gain a competitive edge, which was in line with the global outlook (79 per cent). Adoption of collaboration technologies by Australian companies is increasing (58 per cent) to address these concerns, demonstrating enterprises are becoming more open to embracing new technologies and actively emphasise innovation and growth over cost savings. Across geographies and industries, respondents are reporting a gradual shift away from cost savings as a top priority, instead reporting a marked increase in pressure to innovate.More needs to be done to bridge the technology gap that exists within Australian enterprises: Thirty-six per cent of Australian companies overwhelmingly feel current IT infrastructures do not allow employees to accessibly find the right information. This highlights the fact that Australian organisations still need to embrace alternative technologies, like social media and Web 2.0 applications, as part of its collaboration technology mix. Jeevaratnam believes Australian enterprises are still behind when it comes to the adoption of collaborative technologies. “Although we have seen a resounding shift by everyday Australians to use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, Australian enterprises are still overwhelmingly choosing more traditional forms of communication – email and telephone – when they could be adopting newer and more collaborative forms of communication such as Microsoft Office Communication to connect with employees anywhere in real time, or using SharePoint to form ad-hoc global teams for collaboration activities,” he said. “As Australian enterprises proactively look for ways to globalise, these types of technologies are fast becoming a key tool in obtaining the ability to maximise resources to solve a variety of business issues.” About the Survey The Collaboration survey was conducted by Kelton Research, an independent research firm, between February 8 to February 25, 2010, and included 538 online interviews with C-level executives, IT decision makers and business unit leaders at the top companies in 17 countries across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. For more information on this study and Avanade’s collaboration expertise, please visit www.avanade.com. About Avanade Avanade provides business technology services that connect insight, innovation and expertise in Microsoft technologies to help customers realise results. Avanade’s services and solutions help improve performance, productivity and sales for organisations in all industries. The company applies Microsoft expertise from its global network of consultants, drawing on the right mix of onshore, offshore and nearshore skills, which together are designed to helpdeliver results faster, at lower cost and with less risk. Avanade, which is majority owned by Accenture, was founded in 2000 by Accenture and Microsoft Corporation and serves customers in more than 24 countries worldwide with more than 9,700 professionals. Additional information can be found at www.avanade.com. Avanade and the Avanade logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Avanade Inc. Other product, service, or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. 2010 Avanade Inc. All Rights Reserved. # # #

2010-03-04T00:14:00Z avanade-appoints-new-cio

MEDIA CONTACTS: Avanade: Luisa Pagliarini +61 401 265 306 Luisa.Pagliarini@avanade.com Agency Contact: Ofa Fitzgibbons (02) 8281 3819 ofa@howorth.com.au Sydney – March 4, 2010 – Avanade, a business technology service provider, today announced the appointment of Chris Miller as Avanade’s new CIO. As Avanade reaches its tenth anniversary, Miller brings proven experience in global implementation and operation of mission-critical capabilities to Avanade’s global IT organisation. Miller joins Avanade after 16 years at Accenture, where he served as a senior director for Accenture’s Collaboration 2.0 program. In this role, Miller oversaw a multi-year initiative to enable 180,000 global employees with next-generation collaboration capabilities. “Over the last few years, I have worked closely with the Avanade IT organisation and have developed an immense appreciation for its people and the talent they embody,” Miller said. “Avanade’s technology teams operate at the edge of technology innovation, which gives our IT organisation a powerful advantage. Avanade has the ability to move quickly and to take carefully calculated risks, when they make sense. I’m looking forward to being part of a nimble organisation that understands how technology can help us realise results for our customers.” “The pace of technology development and change require Avanade to be an early adopter of many of the solutions our customers are evaluating,” said Adam Warby, CEO, Avanade. “The CIO role at Avanade is a very strategic, hands-on role tasked with not only advancing Avanade’s business through delivery of IT capabilities to our global workforce but also to be a reference point for customers. Chris will be an instrumental part of the leadership team as Avanade grows its business and accelerates its role as a driving force in technology innovation.” Miller’s prior experience spans a wide range of technology and consulting functions, focused on leveraging Microsoft technology on a true enterprise scale at Accenture. Beginning in 2003, Miller led a large portion of Accenture’s Business Application Portfolio. About Avanade Avanade provides business technology services that connect insight, innovation and expertise in Microsoft technologies to help customers realise results. Avanade’s services and solutions help improve performance, productivity and sales for organisations in all industries. The company applies Microsoft expertise from its global network of consultants, drawing on the right mix of onshore, offshore and nearshore skills, which together are designed to help deliver results faster, at lower cost and with less risk. Avanade, which is majority owned by Accenture, was founded in 2000 by Accenture and Microsoft Corporation and serves customers in more than 20 countries worldwide with more than 9,100 professionals. Additional information can be found at www.avanade.com. Avanade and the Avanade logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Avanade Inc. Other product, service, or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

2010-01-28T00:59:00Z avanade-launches-online-services-to-help-organisations-deploy-strategic-software-as-a-service-saas-applications

SYDNEY – January 28, 2010 – Avanade, a business technology services provider, today launched Avanade Online Services (AOS), a new business focused on helping organisations use SaaS strategically to achieve key business objectives. AOS provides a complete SaaS platform optimised for the delivery of Microsoft-based business applications. Avanade’s first offering for AOS is focused on Microsoft Dynamics CRM and features maintenance, support and upgrade services as well as the Avanade Productivity Platform. The Avanade Productivity Platform includes packaged functionality for CRM-based solutions including rules-based user interfaces, field-level security and Microsoft SharePoint integration. “Heading out of the downturn, Australian companies still face constrained capital budgets and IT resources, a strong desire for rapid deployment, and the need to reduce operational overhead,” said Jeyan Jeevaratnam, Vice President for Australia and New Zealand at Avanade. “Avanade Online Services meets these needs by offering outsourced applications, infrastructure, support and maintenance combined with Avanade’s proven assets and expertise as a complete solution that lowers risk, reduces costs and speeds time to value.” With AOS for CRM, Microsoft Dynamics CRM can now be delivered as an enterprise-wide SaaS solution, enhanced with Avanade’s Microsoft expertise and industry-specific CRM solutions and assets, such as Wealth Management, Insurance, Case Management, Grants Management, and Salesforce Automation. SaaS is an increasingly important part of enterprise IT strategy According to a recent global survey commissioned by Avanade, companies are embracing the use of SaaS for the most critical applications that they consider differentiators for their businesses. The majority of respondents ranked CRM as the most critical differentiator and strategic weapon for their businesses versus the competition. The research indicated that Australian companies were actually ahead of their global counterparts when it came to the use of SaaS, with 64 percent of local companies currently using SaaS compared to 55 percent worldwide. Additionally, 35 percent of Australian companies have been using SaaS between 1-2 years compared to 16 percent worldwide. Furthermore, 97 percent of Australian companies said their experience with SaaS was successful, with 67 percent expecting to increase their use of SaaS in 2010. “With the use of Software-as-a-Service growing exponentially within enterprises, it is clear that this online services model is beginning to fundamentally change how IT is consumed and provisioned in large organisations,” said Jeevaratnam. SaaS or on-premise: Avanade delivers flexibility with Microsoft Dynamics CRM The AOS for CRM option is designed for customers who are looking for a complete SaaS suite that is scalable, flexible and managed. With this platform, Microsoft Dynamics CRM can transparently move between on-premise and off-premise with AOS, offering increased flexibility to Avanade’s customers. Depending on security preferences and requirements, businesses can also select to deploy their CRM application in either a dedicated or shared SaaS environment. “Avanade has worked closely with us since the introduction of Microsoft Dynamics CRM to deliver outstanding services and solutions to our joint customers,” said Brad Wilson, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. “AOS for Microsoft Dynamics CRM is the natural next step in providing customers with proven enterprise solutions globally that can lower costs and reduce risk.” Customers can request a trial of the service and experience the solution at no cost for thirty days. There is also a deeper pilot engagement that can be delivered for those who are interested. For more information, please visit http://avanade.com/whatwedo/solution.aspx?id=643. About Avanade Avanade provides business technology services that connect insight, innovation and expertise in Microsoft technologies to help customers realize results. Avanade’s services and solutions help improve performance, productivity and sales for organizations in all industries. The company applies Microsoft expertise from its global network of consultants, drawing on the right mix of onshore, offshore and nearshore skills, which together are designed to help deliver results faster, at lower cost and with less risk. Avanade, which is majority owned by Accenture, was founded in 2000 by Accenture and Microsoft Corporation and serves customers in more than 20 countries worldwide with more than 9,100 professionals. Additional information can be found at www.avanade.com. Avanade and the Avanade logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Avanade Inc. Other product, service, or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. MEDIA CONTACTS: Avanade: Luisa Pagliarini +61 401 265 306 Luisa.Pagliarini@avanade.com PR Agency: Ofa Fitzgibbons +61 424 031 639 ofa@howorth.com.au or Rebecca Tannous +61 403 581 047 rebecca@howorth.com.au # # #

2009-10-27T01:00:00Z aussie-cloud-adoption-is-rising-rapidly-companies-opting-for-hybrid-path

SYDNEY – 27 October, 2009 - The number of Australian businesses planning for or testing cloud computing services has increased dramatically, according to new research commissioned by Avanade. The report findings reveal that cloud computing has evolved from being a ‘buzzword’ to a legitimate concept for IT delivery – with the number of respondents who say they are beginning to embrace cloud computing increasing nearly three-fold since January 2009. This study is the second worldwide survey of cloud computing adoption, conducted by an independent market research firm. It polled more than 500 C-Level and IT executives in 16 countries in North America, Europe and Asia. The research shows the gap is closing between the companies with cloud computing plans and trials, and companies with no plans to adopt it. At the time of the first study, commissioned in January 2009, the majority of companies (56 percent) had no plans to adopt cloud-based systems. In the most recent report however, that number had decreased to 32 percent – indicating a growing acceptance of cloud computing in the enterprise. Other key findings in the September 2009 survey show: 64 percent of respondents regard cloud as a strategic investment while 36 percent view it as a cost-saving measure for their company More than half of respondents (52 percent) have opted for a mix of cloud-based and internal IT (on-premise) systems The vast majority (63 percent) of respondents say the economy has either helped (21 percent) their efforts or has had no effect (42 percent) on their efforts to implement cloud computing According to Jeyan Jeevaratnam, Vice President, Australia and New Zealand, Avanade: “There has been an astonishing shift in attitudes and adoption of cloud computing over the past nine months and the acceleration in momentum we’re seeing shows no sign of slowing. With many enterprises seeking to incorporate cloud-based systems into business operations, it’s clear that companies are becoming more comfortable with cloud computing as a viable technology.” Hybrid deployments seen as the way forward While companies are now beginning to embrace the concept of cloud-based systems, there are still barriers to the sole use of cloud services in large organisations. The survey reveals that security issues, cost and a lack of an immediate need are the leading reasons for those not using cloud computing, while those currently using cloud-based systems say that they have experienced a ‘steep learning curve for IT staff ‘ (39 percent). Given these concerns, there are very few reports of full migrations to the cloud, with the survey revealing that more than half of companies (52 percent) are adopting a hybrid approach of using cloud and internally owned systems. This compares with 16 percent of organisations using a combination of systems nine months earlier. “The move to cloud is not an all or nothing proposition. It provides great benefits, but not everything is meant to live in the cloud. Companies will need to make smart choices about where it might be best applied -- it’s about using the cloud in a way that is consistent with business strategy and the needs of the organisation. That being the case, as companies increasingly look to dip their toes into cloud, we see the future of cloud-based systems lying in a combination or hybrid approach of cloud and internally based systems,” said Jeevaratnam. While companies are just now becoming comfortable with the concept of cloud computing, 64 percent of respondents report they are already embracing the adoption of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications, one aspect of cloud computing. Other key SaaS findings include: The majority of respondents (52 percent) have been using SaaS for a year or less Although the technology may be new to most users, nearly one third of users (30 percent) report using three or more SaaS providers SaaS users would prefer to deploy SaaS applications delivered internally versus from a third party service provider 97 percent of SaaS users view their experience as largely ‘successful’ 67 percent of respondents are looking to increase their SaaS usage in the next year Overview of key local findings: 73 percent of Australian companies believe the global recession has ‘hit bottom’, compared with 59 percent of companies globally Less than five percent of

2009-10-12T23:49:40Z toyota-financial-services-selects-avanade-australia-to-transform-its-fleet-management-solution

SYDNEY – 13 October, 2009 – Avanade, a business technology services provider, today announced it has been commissioned by Toyota Financial Services, a leading provider of automotive and fleet financial services, as the strategic partner for an online business technology solution. The solution will complement their Fleet Management Solution, offering greater self-service functionality and a better user experience to their online customers. This work is part of a broader program of work that Toyota Financial Services is undertaking with multiple vendors. The Fleet Management Division, Toyota Fleet Management, has to accurately manage data such as vehicle running costs, fuel consumption, Fringe Benefits Tax and now environmental reporting. As a company, they need to ensure that their system captures this complete portfolio of fleet information, that is accurate and readily accessible to Toyota Fleet Management customers - from the word go. Working together with Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Avanade, the Project team will enhance Toyota Financial Services’ current web performance by developing a web solution to feature rich content and increase the availability of its web-based finance products. The online applications will also dramatically reduce call centre costs. Avanade’s expertise of the business technology sector as well as its continued focus on delivery excellence and vision helped secure the deal. “Avanade has a strong relationship with Toyota Financial Services and we are looking forward to collaborating on this leading edge project,” says Jeyan Jeevaratnam, Vice President for Australia and New Zealand, Avanade Inc. The new solution will deliver an exceptional level of customer service and will also provide a refreshed look and feel, improving the brand image of Toyota Fleet Management. The web solution will be developed in Microsoft ASP.NET and will be integrated with the new backend solution. “We awarded this new contract to Avanade based on their proven track record as a trusted partnership that has been developed between both organisations. This is based on exceptional team engagement, as well as the timely and quality delivery of previous solutions. Through our alliance with Avanade, we will deliver more interactive fleet services, increased transaction processing and improved information access for both our customers and business partners,” says Ed Stanistreet, General Manager of Toyota Fleet Management. “In the current marketplace, this win is a reflection of our expertise in the financial services sector and testament to our ability to understand our clients’ most important business objectives, and to deliver results that address them,” says Jeevaratnam. “We look forward to further strengthening our relationship with Toyota Financial Services.” This project is expected to be completed in May 2010. About Toyota Financial Services Toyota Financial Services, a divison of Toyota Finance Australia Limited, has a range of flexible finance, insurance and fleet management solutions available through the Toyota Dealership network making it easy for customers to get in the driver’s seat. Whether for personal or business needs, new or used vehicles, a single vehicle or for a large fleet, customers can arrange finance, registration, insurance and an extended warranty all through the one dealer, at the one time. The company is recognised as one of Australia’s leading motor vehicle financiers with net receivables approaching $7 billion. Additional information can be found at http://www.toyota.com.au/finance. About Avanade Avanade provides business technology services that connect insight, innovation and expertise in Microsoft technologies to help customers realise results. Avanade’s services and solutions help improve performance, productivity and sales for organisations in all industries. The company provides unsurpassed Microsoft expertise through a global network of consultants, and applies the right mix of onshore, offshore and nearshore skills to help deliver results faster, at lower cost and with less risk. Avanade, which is majority owned by Accenture, was founded in 2000 by Accenture and Microsoft Corporation and serves customers in more than 20 countries worldwide with more than 9,000 professionals. Additional information can be found at www.avanade.com. Avanade and the Avanade logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Avanade Inc. Other product, service, or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. 2009 Avanade Inc. All Rights Reserved. MEDIA CONTACTS: Avanade AUSTRALIA: Luisa Pagliarini Ph: +61 2 9005 6014 l.pagliarini@avanade.com HOWORTH: Lucy Craven Ph: +61 2 8281 3804 lucy@howorth.com.au

2009-06-29T23:33:53Z accenture-and-avanade-named-microsoft-s-enterprise-alliance-partner-of-the-year

SYDNEY: June 26, 2009 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and Avanade have been named the 2009 Enterprise Alliance Partner of the Year by Microsoft, as well as recognised as finalists for the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, Systems Management Partner of the Year Award and the Information Worker Solutions, Portals and Collaboration Partner of the Year Award. In each case, Accenture and Avanade were selected from among an international network of leading companies that deliver solutions built on the Microsoft platform. It is the fifth time – and second consecutive year – that Accenture and Avanade, a business technology service provider majority owned by Accenture, have jointly won the Partner of the Year Award, more than any other Microsoft Enterprise Alliance Partner. Accenture and Avanade were selected as leading partners across Microsoft’s 13 major geographic regions, a result of each region’s enterprise team ranking them among the top five Microsoft partners. Accenture and Avanade differentiated themselves by: Working closely with Microsoft’s subsidiaries to create and deliver joint solutions in areas including collaboration, customer relationship management (CRM), business intelligence and custom solutions built on Microsoft .NET. Developing a collection of assets and solutions that allow organisations to get the most from their Microsoft investments. Leveraging over 41,500 Microsoft resources around the world – the largest number of skilled resources of any IT services firm. Delivering superior business results for more than 1,600 clients, leveraging more

2009-02-24T23:19:30Z new-research-cloud-computing-seen-as-a-viable-option-but-70-percent-of-aussie-businesses-have-no-plans-to-adopt-this-year

2009-01-22T05:29:00Z avanade-project-brings-improved-functionality-and-scale-to-bt-financial-groups-wrap-investment-tool

SYDNEY, Australia – 22 January, 2009 - Avanade Inc., a global IT consultancy, today announced the completion of a project designed to optimise the capacity and performance of the market leading Wrap Administration Platform from BT Financial Group, the wealth management arm of Westpac. The Wrap Administration platform allows investors to manage investments seamlessly from a single location. BT Financial Group’s Wrap Administration Platform is a holistic superannuation and investment platform offering a suite of account solutions which meet the needs of all types of investors and allows advisers to tailor portfolio solutions for their investors. It offers up to 650 investment choices for advisors and their clients as well as easy administration and consolidated reporting for individual investors, partnerships, trusts, companies and self-managed super funds. BT’s Wrap platform has experienced rapid expansion, with the platform currently managing over $30 billion in funds and being utilised by more than 5,000 advisors and 130,000 investors across Australia. This expansion prompted the business to enhance its database platform to provide a more responsive and reliable customer experience while keeping overheads low. An initial pilot to migrate the system indicated considerable performance improvements could be achieved by transitioning to Microsoft SQL Server 2005. BT then commenced the full migration enabling them to meet business demands. BT has since seen improvements across the business, including greater performance, reduced maintenance times and significantly faster delivery of key business processes. Paul Spiteri, Head of Wrap & Investment Solutions Technology, BT Financial Group, said: “Over recent years, Wraps have become increasingly important in the Australian market and are now widely used across the country. Sharply increasing numbers of customers, funds under administration and transactions have lead to the need to scale the Wrap Platform to accommodate the significant growth and the evolving needs of our current and future customer base. We looked at several different ways to meet this challenge and decided that investing in a database migration to Microsoft technology provided a scalable, cost effective long term solution.” Avanade – which specialises in the Microsoft platform – working closely with the BT Team, planned and successfully migrated BT’s database technology to Microsoft SQL Server within 24 hours and without incident. Spiteri commented on BT’s decision to engage Avanade, an Enterprise Microsoft Partner. “When you are investing heavily in a key platform you need to ensure the company chosen has the right expertise and experience to help de-risk the project. Avanade has the deep Microsoft skills and proven delivery track record we needed for a successful migration,” he said. “The successful results we have seen certainly support this decision.” Nic Savage, Head of the Wrap Customer Service Centre, BT Financial Group, added: “The migration has reduced the time required for End of Day to run. This process is a key dependency for vital business functions and a faster, more robust End of Day will ensure that our staff can begin their work on time each morning to service our customers’ business.” Jeyan Jeevaratnam, Vice President, Business Development, Avanade Australia and New Zealand, said: “Increasingly, we are seeing Microsoft technology implemented in the most important parts of our financial services customer base. BT Financial Group’s decision to migrate to SQL 2005 for their Wrap platform is another example. This was a highly successful engagement and we are very pleased to partner with BT Financial Group for this project.” - Ends - About Avanade - Avanade is a global IT consultancy dedicated to using the Microsoft platform to help enterprises achieve profitable growth. Through proven solutions that extend Microsoft technologies, Avanade helps enterprises increase revenue, reduce costs and reinvest in innovation to gain competitive advantage. Avanade consultants deliver value according to each customer's requirements, timeline and budget by combining insight, innovation and the talent of our global workforce. Avanade, which is majority owned by Accenture, was founded in 2000 by Accenture and Microsoft Corporation. Avanade has more than 9,000 professionals serving customers in 22 countries worldwide. Additional information can be found at www.avanade.com/auKate BoulbyHoworth02 8281 3825