Interface and Lawson form strategic.

Interface Software and Lawson Software (Nasdaq:LWSN) have announced the formation of a new strategic alliance. Under the terms of the agreement, Lawson's Service Process Optimization (SPO) unit, which markets to professional services firms and professional services divisions within companies, and Interface Software, makers of InterAction, the leading CRM solution for professional services, will co-market their products.

Professional services organizations trade exclusively in intellectual capital. Rather than focusing on the manufacture, sale and distribution of physical products, services organizations sell their knowledge and domain expertise. They require different tools to manage the business development process and to differentiate themselves from their competition. Lawson's Service Process Optimization solution helps to address these unique needs with its Opportunity Management module through the capture and reuse of prior work, matching the skills and experiences of a firm's workforce to the engagement's requirements, managing the services pipeline and providing service revenue forecasting. Once engaged, Lawson's Service Process Optimization solution helps enable services firms to effectively collaborate and manage the service delivery process with its clients building client loyalty and strategic relationships that increase the likelihood for additional business opportunities.

InterAction supports services organizations' strategic growth and client retention initiatives by aggregating, managing and delivering to professionals the Relationship Intelligence they need to uncover new business opportunities, cross-sell services, bolster client loyalty and enhance client service. Relationship Intelligence is a firm-wide asset that reveals the unique and complex connections between people, companies, relationships, experience and expertise.

Through this alliance, Interface Software and Lawson recognize the complementary nature of their solutions and will work together to co-market their products to professional services organizations.

"Interface Software's strength in professional services CRM makes them a natural fit for us," said Dean Hager, executive vice president at Lawson. "They have an impressive track record for delivering high-quality product, service and support to professionals. We believe our professional services customers will benefit greatly by implementing InterAction as their CRM solution."

"Lawson has distinguished itself as an innovator in the services marketplace," said Mitchell Grossbach, vice president of business development at Interface Software. "Through this partnership we will be able to offer our joint customers a complete offering of solutions that provide tremendous ROI in all operational areas in terms of revenue generation, cost savings and efficiency gains."

Interface Software is a provider of CRM solutions enabling professional services firms to create the Relationship Intelligence they need to generate new business and enhance client service. Its flagship product, InterAction, is a platform that delivers this Relationship Intelligence throughout the organization, quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. Relationship Intelligence is a firm-wide asset that reveals the unique and complex connections between people, companies, relationships, experience and expertise, empowering professionals to leverage who and what they know to uncover new revenue opportunities, differentiate themselves from the competition and enhance client service. InterAction is internet-enabled, allowing professionals to view information however they choose--through knowledge management platforms, corporate portals, intranets, extranets and wireless devices.

Lawson Software provides business process software solutions that help services organizations in the healthcare, retail, professional services, public sector, financial services, and other strategic markets achieve competitive advantage. Lawson's solutions include enterprise performance management, distribution, financials, human resources, procurement, merchandising and services automation. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., Lawson has offices and affiliates serving North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.