LOTUS ACCELERATED VALUE METHOD PROGRAM GOES GLOBAL

Program Aimed At Accelerating Business Value For Notes Projects

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 24, 1995 -- Lotus Consulting announced today the
worldwide roll out of the Lotus Accelerated Value Method (AVM) seminar
program. A major skills transfer program, AVM represents the consolidation
of best practices and tools developed on hundreds of Notes engagements
worldwide. An integrated method, AVM is comprised of five consulting
modules, including Process Innovation, Collaborative Development,
Enterprise Deployment, Transformation Management, and Engagement
Management.

When discussing the evolution of yet another method, Ian Richmond, vice
president, Lotus Consulting, explains, We found a gap that traditional
methods did not address. The Accelerated Value Method provides consultants
with a holistic approach to creating business-focused Notes solutions .

Mike Melanovsky, vice president of Services Industry Research at
International Data Corporation, comments, Because AVM helps both users and
consultants understand and integrate Notes technology to achieve business
redesign goals, it could have a powerful impact on the success of Notes.

The most important element of AVM is a concept called the Lotus Value
Frame. Using the Value Frame, consultants are able to manage change and
minimize risk by delivering value in small, time-bounded cycles. The Value
Frame takes into account the fact that projects reach a point of
diminishing returns, says Larry Jacobs, director of technology at
Universal Data Consultants in Norcross, Georgia. When evaluated
explicitly, clients often determine that the last five percent isn't worth
it. Getting the 95% solution deployed quickly is much more important.

Another key component of AVM is its iterative prototyping approach, where
business requirements are expected to change as users become familiar with
the capabilities of the technology. This approach contrasts dramatically
with traditional development methods, where requirements are identified
and never revisited.

When asked to explain the value of AVM to his company, Matt Potrawski,
business specialist at Precision Systems Concepts in Chicago, Illinois,
explains, One concrete example has to do with structure. When one of our
Notes projects moved from a departmental implementation to an
international deployment, I was better prepared to ask the right questions
and help our client think through the business implications. Joe King,
president of Crossroad Partners in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, elaborates,
Many consultants have done at least a few really great pilots that never
reached production. I found the Transformation Management seminar a real
eye-opener, enabling me to help my clients tackle more than just the
technical issues.

From a client perspective, Ben Lim, group head of information systems,
Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore, comments, I was skeptical initially.
I was accustomed to working with more traditional methods where
requirements are locked in up front and are used to measure performance.
Lotus Consulting's approach was different. Requirements changed as our
users understood the technology better, yet Lotus Consulting was able to
manage the project and deliver excellent results.

The Accelerated Value Method program is not proprietary in the traditional
sense. Attendees are encouraged to take what is of value and even
integrate AVM techniques and tools with other methods. AVM seminars are
being offered regularly in North America, Europe, Australia, Hong Kong,
and Singapore. Each two-day seminar is $495 U.S. per day. For more
information, contact Lotus Education at 1-800-346-6409.

Lotus Development Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of IBM Corp., offers
high quality software products and support services that reflect the
company's unique understanding of the new ways in which individuals and
businesses must work together to achieve success. Lotus' innovative
approach is evident in a new class of applications that allows information
to be accessed and communicated in ways never before possible, both within
and beyond organizational boundaries. The company also provides numerous
support services, both from its consulting division and its award-winning
24-hour support center.

All prices and terms are for the U.S. only.
 
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