Cambridge Technology Partners Successfully Positions Colleges for the Next Wave of Education.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 27, 1999--

PeopleSoft ERP provides Kentucky Schools with

Web-Enabled Operations in an E-Business Setting

Cambridge Technology Partners (Massachusetts), Inc. (NASDAQ:CATP) (Cambridge), an international e-business services provider, today announced the successful completion of simultaneous PeopleSoft Enterprise Resource Planning deployments at The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) and the Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual University (KCVU) , two newly created post secondary education institutions in Kentucky.

These deployments leveraged Cambridge's extensive experience in the higher education arena, where Cambridge has assisted in over 30 PeopleSoft implementation engagements. Both projects also leveraged Cambridge Momentum for PeopleSoft, a specialized suite of ERP deployment services that employs a process focused, rapid implementation approach. The on-time, rapid delivery of the KCTCS and KCVU PeopleSoft solutions positions these educational institutions for web-enabled operations, including student self-service, course enrollment and distance learning via the Web. This provides students with access to the best and most convenient instruction available, 24 hours a day, from any location.

Both KCTCS and KCVU were established with the passage of the Kentucky Post secondary Education Improvement Act of 1997, as part of the initiatives by Governor Paul Patton titled, 2020 Vision: An Agenda for Kentucky's System of Post Secondary Education. The institutions will play a critical role in achieving the goals of the initiative, in particular, creating a post secondary education system that is accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of Kentucky's citizens and economic stakeholders. The new systems that Cambridge has implemented will help realize these goals.

Cambridge and KCTCS Meet Aggressive Goals

A new organization, KCTCS was created to eliminate redundancy and ensure consistency in policy, curriculum, and academic standards across Kentucky's 28 technical and community colleges. A key component of the formation of KCTCS was the creation of a common ERP foundation employing PeopleSoft's Public Sector Financials and integrated Human Resource/Student Administration applications. Relying on previous successes in higher education, KCTCS selected Cambridge as its implementation partner in November, 1998.

"Reaching consensus among a diverse project team can be difficult. Doing this in conjunction with the development of an entirely new organization is doubly complex. Cambridge's guidance and experience in higher education, particularly with their work at the University of Louisville proved to be a tremendous timesaver. We relied on Cambridge's expertise, not only in the applications themselves, but as the applications pertain to postsecondary education, to keep the project moving at a swift pace," said Dr. Jon Hesseldenz, Vice President of Information Technology at KCTCS.

Further driving KCTCS' success was strong executive support from the organizations' president, Dr. Michael B. McCall. Dr. McCalls's sponsorship encouraged team members representing both the technical and community colleges to proactively endorse changes in business policy and process as they sought to create the new KCTCS. To further promote the new PeopleSoft solutions and the supporting changes in policy and procedure across KCTCS, Cambridge's Assimilation Practice also assisted the effort. A team of Assimilation experts developed the training courseware and provided a "train the trainer" approach to the curriculum materials that would ultimately be rolled out to more than 800 users.

"Cambridge's approach to delivery was exactly what we needed for a successful implementation, said president, Dr. McCall. "Not only did they focus on the timely implementation of the PeopleSoft systems, but they also ensured that our employees understood the value and benefits of these systems."

KCTCS met its goal of bringing PeopleSoft Public Sector Financials, HR and Student Administration live in less than eight months. Subsequent phases, to be completed around June 2000, will include additional Financial, SA/HR modules, as well as an upgrade which will enable the institution to incorporate student self-service activities, including course enrollment, via the Web.

Distance Learning: The Internet Meets Higher Education

KCVU, which opened its virtual doors last month, provides students with a directory of online courses offered by both public and private universities throughout the state of Kentucky. The mission of the KCVU is to be a student-centered, technology-based system for coordinating the delivery of post secondary education via distance learning. The virtual university offers a central on line library and a set of support services for students who choose to take classes online. Electronic delivery of education, training and services will allow Kentucky to more readily bring higher education to its citizens, thereby increasing the reach of educational opportunities across the Commonwealth.

When Cambridge initiated the PeopleSoft implementation for KCVU in early 1999, the virtual university had only one employee; chief executive officer, Dr. Mary Beth Susman. Dr. Susman was charged with bringing the virtual institution to life in a rapid timeframe. This required integration of the distance learning applications with the back office Student Administration system. The implementation of PeopleSoft's Student Administration modules, which handles the student data and registration, began in January 1999, with a target roll-out date of July 1, 1999. Meeting this aggressive schedule with very limited resources required a partner with an intense understanding of higher education and distance learning. Acknowledging Cambridge's experience at many colleges and universities, Dr. Susman turned to the e-business solutions provider and empowered the Cambridge team to take a directive approach in defining the structure and operation of the PeopleSoft system. This approach streamlined the implementation process, enabling the project to move ahead expediently. Additionally, the approach created synergies with the simultaneous KCTCS project by incorporating common decisions and work efforts. Following an aggressive project plan, the Cambridge team brought the system live in July, ready for the enrollment of KCVU's first student, Natalie Back, on July 13, 1999.

"Our partnership with Cambridge has been successful in every way," said Dr. Susman. "Cambridge's unique approach made them the ideal partner for the project. Tapping their extensive knowledge of the PeopleSoft Student Administration modules and strong understanding of the issues pertaining to higher education and distance learning, we have been able to accomplish great feats in minimal time. Without Cambridge's assistance, meeting the aggressive deadlines set by the governor would have been nearly impossible."

To date, 22 of Kentucky's 59 colleges and universities are participating in the virtual university. Within two years, the university hopes to work with every college in the state. KCVU is well on its way to transforming post secondary education into an electronic business for the 21st century, meeting its goal of enhancing and expanding educational access and increasing educational attainment across Kentucky.

"Kentucky's receiving a lot of attention for innovations in both technology and education," said Governor Paul Patton. "We appreciate the leadership Cambridge Technology Partners has demonstrated to help us achieve our goals with both KCTCS and KCVU, part of an overall effort to make education more responsive, affordable, and accessible to all Kentuckians."

Cambridge Technology Partners will be participating in PeopleSoft's 1999 Conference, beginning, Sunday, August 29, 1999, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Joining Cambridge in Booth 702 will be eight Cambridge customers including KCTCS, Talbot's, Domino's Pizza, CNF Transportation, City of Flint, Promus Hotels, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare and the University of Louisville.

About Cambridge Technology Partners

Cambridge Technology Partners provides management consulting and systems integration services to transform its clients into e-businesses. Working in collaboration with Global 2000 and high-velocity middle market companies, Cambridge combines a deep understanding of New Economy issues with integrated, end-to-end services and a proven track record of shared risk and guaranteed delivery. Cambridge has more than 4500 employees and 54 offices worldwide. Cambridge on the Web: http://www.ctp.com