As Technology Infrastructures Become Fully Integrated, More Corporations Aspire to Become ''Service Oriented Enterprises,'' According to Capgemini Survey; Both Large & Small Organizations See Benefits of Becoming an ''SOE'' at Microsoft Launch.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Corporate technology departments are driving their organizations to become "service-oriented enterprises" amid advances in infrastructure integration technologies, according to the results of a survey of more than 300 participants attending the Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, SQL Server 2005 and BizTalk Server 2006 global launch this week. According to the pulse survey conducted by Capgemini U.S. LLC, a global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing, while only a third (37%) of enterprises currently use service oriented architecture (SOA) technologies, almost two thirds (64%) plan on utilizing these technologies in the near future, driving towards the creation of service-oriented enterprises. SOA also emerged as the number one driver of corporate IT infrastructure investments in 2006 for more than four in ten (41%) respondents, compared to smaller percentages for business intelligence (38%) and outsourcing/labor arbitrage (16%).

At the Microsoft launch, respondents identified the most important benefits of Microsoft technology as cost reductions on integration projects (55%), increased return on existing assets (31%), and capability to automate key business processes (10%). Attendees looked to leverage the new Microsoft technologies quickly. In the near future, more than half of respondents plan on upgrading their BizTalk Software (62%) and SQL Servers (55%).

"The Microsoft and Capgemini strategic alliance is driving organizations to become service-oriented enterprises," remarked Joe Thomas, vice president for Capgemini. "The service-oriented enterprise (SOE) is the new model for how IT and business work together, and both of our organizations passionately believe that what the Web did for the connectivity of people, SOE will do for businesses."

Capgemini's "pulse surveys" at the Microsoft Launch and at Siebel Customer World show that both large and small organizations seek to be service-oriented enterprises. At the Microsoft Launch nearly three in ten respondents (27%) came from organizations with less than $1 billion in revenue, as opposed to only one in ten (10%) at Siebel Customer World. Despite the different demographics, both surveys concluded that more than six in ten of respondents (71% at Siebel Customer World and 64% at the Microsoft Launch) plan on utilizing a service-oriented architecture.

"Together, Microsoft and Capgemini push organizations to exhibit the characteristics of true service-oriented enterprises," said Kevin Poole, vice president for Capgemini. "These organizations become fast, flexible, and responsive. Our combined solutions take complexity away, but leave you in control."

Other key findings from the Capgemini pulse survey at the Microsoft Launch event:

--While most of respondents came from North America (92%), others hailed from Asia (5%) and Europe (3%);

--While a large majority of respondents were IT architects (76%), others were marketers (12%), CIO or CTO (9%), and President (3%);

--A majority currently use or plan on using Biz Talk software (60%);

--A large majority (72%) believe software integration will be the greatest benefit from a consolidating software industry, well above lower prices (12%), and more frequent innovations (11%);

--The two industry sectors which will be most affected most by the consolidating software industry will be Manufacturing, Retail, & Distribution (30%) and Financial Service (25%);

--More respondents believe IT inside their organization is viewed as "strategic" (36%) than "project based" (32%) or a "cost center" (22%).

About the Capgemini Group

Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of Consulting, Technology, and Outsourcing services, has a unique way of working with its clients, which it calls the Collaborative Business Experience. Through commitment of mutual success and the achievement of tangible value, the company helps businesses implement growth strategies, leverage technology and thrive through the power of collaboration. Capgemini employs approximately 60,000 worldwide and reported 2004 global revenues of 6.3 billion euros. More information about individual service lines, offices and research is available at www.capgemini.com.