Agresso North America Changes Name to Unit4 Agresso

Shelley Zapp

Date:

March 19, 2010

New name and brand identity marks successful year despite economy and sets stage for further expansion into North American market Dallas, TX and Victoria, B.C. - Agresso North America, a leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) software company, is echoing the announcement of its European parent of a new name and brand identity. Starting today, the North American subsidiary will begin transitioning to the name UNIT4 Agresso. All companies in the group worldwide are rallying under the name UNIT4, and preparing for the group's next stage of growth. The name's unveiling marks a pivotal year for the North American company and signifies a stronger focus on its unique message to the marketplace: embracing change.

"The timing for the name change was ideal," said Shelley Zapp, president of UNIT4 Agresso. "We have momentum right now. The recession drove home the point that organizations must be able to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. The market is primed, our customers are enthusiastic about their ability to manage change, and our staff is more focused than ever on delivering these capabilities."

Recent studies from CFO Research[1] and IDC[2] provide independent evidence of just how much it is costing organizations to keep rigid ERP systems up-to-date; the cost of making changes plus the costs of the resulting disruption are dwarfing the original investment in license fees and maintenance. This situation is creating fertile ground for UNIT4 Agresso's unique feature of post-implementation agility - the ability for business users to make changes to the ERP system quickly and easily, after implementation, without involving IT or external consultants.

After successfully navigating a challenging economic environment, UNIT4 Agresso has reason to celebrate the marketplace's growing interest in its message to embrace change. The company signed significant deals with new customers in the latter half of 2009, including contracts with the Louisiana Supreme Court, Meyers Norris Penny LLP and King County Housing Authority. It also saw successful go-lives at Emeritus Senior Living; Township of Langley, BC; the City of Ventura, CA; and the Houston Zoo, proving the company's ability to implement its ERP solution reliably on time and on budget.

"This move will expand our profile in the North American marketplace," said Zapp. "Emphasizing our membership in a group that is a top six mid-market ERP software player globally brings reassurance. Our local market knowledge and expertise is backed by a solid, global foundation. We can lever our international presence to bring experience to the North American market in areas such as IFRS compliance."

The company plans a full launch of the new name and brand at the North American Agresso Connects User Conference in Vancouver BC in May 2010.