Boston University Adds Chicago's Advanced Data Concepts to Educational Affiliate Network.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

BOSTON & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 12, 2003

Consultant/Integrator to Offer Boston University's

World-Class Project Management Programs in Greater Chicago Area

Extending its reputation for excellence in project management training into the Chicago area, Boston University today announced the addition of Advanced Data Concepts (ADC) to its international network of educational training affiliates. ADC will be offering the critical skills/project management programs developed by Boston University and offered through its Corporate Education Center (BUCEC). ADC has been a Chicago-area leader in management consulting and information technology services since 1997.

"Boston University's unparalleled project management training programs add an important piece to ADC's overall suite of marketplace offerings which includes tools, best practice methods and support services," said Bob Runcie, President of ADC. "These high-caliber project management programs will enable the Chicago area public, private and government organizations to sharpen their skills and ensure that both business and technology projects are completed on time, on budget and at the demanded level of quality."

Innovative leaders recognize the value that skilled project management brings to bottom line results. That value is bringing better products to market faster. Current studies demonstrate that the value of project management significantly improves the financial measures of ROI, sales growth and productivity.

Government and business leaders are holding back on project initiations due to concerns over the skill levels of current project leadership. The federal government's Office of Management and Budgets (OMB) is counting on project management training to enable more than 700 "at risk" projects representing $21 billion to be completed successfully. To date, five states have committed to formal project management training programs for their project leadership.

Gartner Group estimates that 75 percent of e-business projects have failed (1999-2002) because of fundamental flaws in project planning. In addition, according to the Standish Group, of the more than $250 billion spent annually on IT application development, the average cost overrun is 89 percent of original estimate and the average time overrun is 222 percent of original estimate.

Boston University has developed project management training programs -- based on the Project Management Institute's PMBOK(R) (Project Management Body of Knowledge) guidelines -- that teach managers how to assess needs and risks of a project, manage its costs and timing demands, build a strong cohesive team and build a project plan for successful acceptance of new technology, processes, or products. These programs are offered with flexible timing formats including the "basic" and "master" day program, as well as the very successful evening program, which has been created to work with busy project team schedules.

"We are very happy to welcome an organization that is the caliber of ADC into our affiliate network," said Rick Freeman, Chief Business Development Officer of Boston University's Educational Affiliate Network. "Adding Boston University's project management programs to their practical industry and project management experience will help ADC empower clients with processes and techniques they can use to help ensure overall project success. Their commitment to quality skill enhancement training will only heighten ADC's already exemplary reputation as the premier management consulting and information technology services organization in the Chicago market."

ADC will roll out Boston University's project management training programs in the Chicago area at the end of April 2003. The programs will be offered in ADC's St. Louis offices in June or July of 2003.

About Advanced Data Concepts (www.ADCcorp.com)

Advanced Data Concepts is a management consulting and information technology services firm committed to helping management in industry and government improve their performance and organizational effectiveness by redesigning business processes and guiding them through the strategic deployment of information technology. The mission for its training operation is to be the provider of choice for quality project management training and job readiness enhancement in the Chicago and St. Louis markets. Headquartered in Chicago, Advanced Data Concepts was founded in 1997.

About Boston University Education Affiliate Network

Boston University Education Affiliate Network is a groundbreaking venture from Boston University that provides IT and management development training products and services internationally. Led by a senior management team that was instrumental in making Boston University's Corporate Education Center New England's leading IT training and project management provider, The BU Education Affiliate Network has developed a channel of regional training organizations and academic institutions that offer the proven IT and project management curricula from Boston University. In addition to award-winning programs, affiliates gain access to marketing, recruitment and career enhancement support services developed at Boston University. Boston University affiliates can act as resellers of Boston University-delivered programs under their own brand or they may choose to deliver training using "Boston University Official Curriculum" courseware, and BU's program and marketing support. Affiliates will also have the opportunity to distribute their own in-demand, quality programs through the Boston University Education Affiliate network. To learn more about Boston University Education Network, visit the web site at www.bunetwork.com and can be contacted at [phone].