CMX Group becomes IT Service Vision Software Solution Provider.

CARY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 1998--SAS Institute Inc., the industry leader in data warehousing and decision support software, today announced that the CMX Group, a New York-based consulting firm, has been designated an IT Service Vision(tm) software Solution Provider through the Institute's Quality Partner Program.

Founded in 1983, the CMX Group is a professional services firm specializing in using systems and computer measurement technologies to help its clients achieve business objectives. These technologies included capacity planning, data center accounting/chargeback, performance evaluation and optimization, management reporting, client/server application design and development, and systems programming. CMX Group's client base includes a broad spectrum of industries, from banking and finance to transportation, insurance, and communications.

IT Service Vision software - the SAS Business Solution for IT Service Delivery - addresses an enterprise's entire services offering including systems, networks, Web servers and phone systems. Data is warehoused and analyzed to provide reporting for all levels of an IT organization and to help integrate IT goals with corporate business goals.

The CMX Group has a staff of senior level computer measurement technicians dedicated to its IT Service Vision practice. "The experience level that we have has proven invaluable since many of the engagements in which we have been implementing IT Service Vision solutions have become increasingly multiplatform in nature," said Jack Mintz, director at the CMX Group. "This is where IT Service Vision differentiates itself from its competition, because it is the only software to provide a true enterprise-wide solution with a consistent architecture."

"The open architecture of IT Service Vision software allows me, as a consultant, to rarely, if ever, have to say to a client 'no, you can't do that,'" added Mintz. "This makes implementing solutions very easy and allows clients to view IT Service Vision software in a very positive light."

The Quality Partner Program is designed to assist and support third-party organizations whose primary business is providing consulting services using SAS software. Currently, more than 250 organizations are SAS Quality Partners worldwide. To become an IT Service Vision Software Solution Provider, consulting companies must meet the standard Quality Partner Program criteria as well as additional Solution Provider requirements.

According to Loretta Schlatzer, manager of the Institute's Quality Partner program, "Providing services for IT Service Vision software requires a specialized skill set beyond expertise in SAS(r) software. By requiring partners to meet additional criteria to become a Solution Provider, our customers can be confident that they are working with someone who is familiar with the product, who has the supporting SAS software programming skills, and professional expertise in the IT field."

The CMX Group has sent several staff members to SAS Institute's IT Service Vision training, and has already partnered with SAS Institute on several IT Service Vision consulting projects. "Working closely together with the Institute, the CMX Group has demonstrated their value to these customers by combining their SAS software expertise with their knowledge of IT Service Vision and their invaluable industry experience," added Schlatzer.

About SAS Institute

SAS Institute, one of the top 10 independent software vendors, is the leader in decision support and data warehousing, providing integrated enterprise information-delivery solutions. The Institute markets packaged business solutions for vertical industry and departmental applications, as well as an integrated suite of software tools that allow companies to transform the wide variety of data within their organizations into information that business users and researchers need to make better decisions. SAS software and services are used at more than 31,000 business, government, and university sites in over 120 countries. Founded in 1976, SAS Institute is the world's largest privately held software company with annual revenue of $750 million.

For more information about the Quality Partner Program, contact SAS Institute Inc. at [phone].

For more information about the CMX Group, contact Jack Mintz at [phone].

Please visit SAS Institute's Web site: www.sas.com

SAS is a registered trademark and IT Service Vision is a trademark of SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA.

All other tradenames referenced are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.