Lawson Software to Deliver Global Enterprise Software Solution to Metso Automation

Lawson Opportunity Analyzer prioritizes implementation by identifying the most beneficial business process improvements

ST. PAUL, Minn. (August 28, 2007) – Lawson Software (Nasdaq: LWSN) today announced it has signed a contract with Finland-based Metso Automation to implement the Lawson M3 Enterprise Management System in support of the company’s global supply chain. Metso Automation is an international supplier of machine and process automation solutions for the pulp and paper, energy, and process industries. Following a comprehensive analysis performed with Lawson Opportunity Analyzer, Metso was able to identify multiple business benefits to be gained from a Lawson implementation, which helped solidify Metso’s decision to select Lawson. Metso expects to complete the global Lawson rollout in 2009-2010 – at that point supporting an anticipated 1,300 users in more than 30 countries. The contract was signed in Lawson’s fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007, which ended May 31, 2007.[
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The Lawson M3 system will help improve Metso’s supply chain performance and transparency while supporting the expansion of its service activities and project-specific business. In addition, the applications will help optimize the company’s decision-making process with enhanced planning solutions and demand-supply alignment. Metso also expects to have better tools to improve its management of product lines and enable more efficient integration of global processes, data management and tools to help manage potential acquisitions.

Metso Automation’s current application landscape has been built for regional and local use based on best of breed solutions and tailor made solutions, said Eero Oksa, IT director for Metso Automation. “Some of the applications are already nearing the end of their technical life cycle. We want to improve the transparency in the whole supply chain and thus improve the productivity. For this purpose we need a global solution to manage global business.

The global solution from Lawson will include Lawson Business Intelligence, global implementation support and the already-completed business process analysis using Lawson Opportunity Analyzer. With Opportunity Analyzer, which was used before the contract was finalized, Metso was able to identify the most significant opportunities for business process improvements and help the company connect its strategic business objectives with detailed operational targets that it can achieve from the Lawson M3 implementation. Opportunity Analyzer helps organizations plan large-scale ERP investments by evaluating the expected benefits of the Lawson M3 solution. Opportunity Analyzer helps set clear targets for the system to help maximize the success of the ERP project and minimize associated risks. The Opportunity Analyzer business analysis carried out for Metso identified 50 potential areas for further development, which could help drive productivity improvements that could potentially save the company several million dollars.

“Our solutions are ideal for companies that face demanding supply and production challenges and they are well-suited for global organizations like Metso that are actively improving their operations, said Harry Debes, president and CEO of Lawson. “The Opportunity Analyzer assessment carried out for Metso helped validate in advance that Lawson can deliver a fast return on investment.

With Lawson Business Intelligence, Metso will have more powerful tools for business planning and decision support. Lawson Business Intelligence provides users with the right information at the right time, coupled with actionable information that helps them make better, faster decisions. It offers organization-wide reporting, active business process management and interactive analysis functionalities. Active dashboards deliver necessary information directly to the workstation enabling immediate access of business critical information. The solution allows users to improve decision-making by capturing, saving and analyzing information stored in organization-wide Lawson and non-Lawson data sources.

Source: Lawson

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