Government Agencies Turn to SCOPE iT to Improve Cost Estimation for Information Technology Projects.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 26, 2004

With state and local governments facing tight budgets and possible cutbacks of services, a Sacramento company is offering a way for government agencies to move forward on technology projects on budget and on time.

SCOPE iT provides the first web-based cost estimation and planning tool for IT projects, removing much of the uncertainty that has caused IT projects to run over budget and overtime.

"There is less room than ever for error in estimating complex IT projects," said Henk Keukenkamp, an experienced project manager who founded SCOPE iT. Mr. Keukenkamp created the technology after being frustrated by the lack of an easy-to-use, web-based tool.

The need for a tool like the one offered by SCOPE iT was recently highlighted in a report by the California Legislative Analyst's Office, which found poor estimation as a reason that state agencies under-estimated and over-spent on information technology projects.

"... The State does not require the use of a standard estimating technique for projects estimates and budgets," the Legislative Analyst's Office said in its 2204-2005 report. "Since there is no standard for project estimating, initial project budgets and estimates could be inconsistent and inaccurate. Problems in the estimates may become apparent only after the project is underway."

The SCOPE iT software takes the guesswork out of IT project cost estimation and project planning by guiding you through the process with its unique questionnaire design.

SCOPE iT's public sector clients include the Washington State Convention & Trade Center and the California Water Resource Control Board, a division of the California Environmental Protection Agency, and California Resources Agency.

"The product added value for us because it enabled us to quickly and accurately develop a cost estimate for the projects we were planning," said John Ellison, the former Assistant Chief of the Office of Information Technology at the California Water Resource Control Board. "We also have used SCOPE iT as another set of valuable eyes to help us to evaluate the proposals we receive from multiple vendors and consultants."

SCOPE iT addresses cost estimation at any scale - from a single user to a large enterprise and can be used to create cost estimates and project plans for new project initiatives, as well as, maintenance projects. SCOPE iT does not require lengthy training programs to use, and SCOPE iT provides free Web-Based training for its tool.

About SCOPE iT

SCOPE iT, Inc. is a provider of the first web-based IT cost estimation tool. Its function is to assist corporate information technology organizations, consulting firms, and government agencies with accurate cost estimates, for new project initiatives, existing projects, or modifications to existing solutions. For more information, please visit www.SCOPEiT.com