Group 1 Software Named One of Fastest Growing Technology Companies in Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 Program
[Johannesburg, 4th November 2004] Group 1 Software, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI), has been named for Deloitte's prestigious Technology Fast 50 Program for Maryland, a ranking of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the area by Deloitte & Touche LLP, one of the nation's leading professional services firms. Rankings are based on the percentage of growth in fiscal year revenues over five years, from 1999-2003. Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale and Dorr is the sponsor for this year's Maryland Technology Fast 50 program and PR Newswire in the official media partner.
Alicornio Africa, local representatives of Group 1 Software congratulates their technology partner and says MD Susan Andre, “We hope this international news has a positive impact on the local market. Amidst challenging conditions in the IT industry, Group 1 has remained focused and consistently delivered according to its promises. They have ensured we get the support needed to stay ahead of the game, and given the demanding circumstances we are experiencing in the South African market, we have benefited hugely from the innovative technology and forward thinking of the Group.” Group 1 incorporates the Sagent Solution, one of Alicornio’s most reliable information integration product suites.
Group 1's president, Bob Bowen, credits investments in key technologies and a continuing commitment to complete customer satisfaction with the company's 60% revenue growth from 1999-2003. "That five-year span saw some of the toughest times that ever have faced the software industry," said Bowen. "But by focusing on critical business functions for our customers, and by offering products that offered rapid and substantial returns on investment, we were able to thrive during this time."
"To succeed during prosperous times is one thing; to succeed in adversity is much more challenging, and that's exactly what the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 winners have done," said Gary H. Tabach of Deloitte's Technology, Media & Telecommunications Practice and Office Managing Partner for Deloitte's McLean, Virginia office. "We applaud Group 1 Software for its tremendous accomplishments during economically challenging times and for being one of the elite Fast 50 companies in Maryland."
To qualify for the Technology Fast 50, companies must have had operating revenues of at least $50,000 in 1999 and $1,000,000 in 2003, must be public or private companies headquartered in North America, and be a "technology company" defined as owning proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues (using other companies' technology in a unique way does not qualify); and/or devoting a significant proportion of revenues to research and development of technology. Winners of the 19 regional Technology Fast 50 programs in the United States and Canada are automatically entered in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 program, which ranks North America's top 500 fastest growing technology companies. For more information on the Fast 50 or Fast 500 programs, visit http://www.fast500.com.
About Group 1 Software
Group 1 Software, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pitney Bowes, develops software that helps over 3,500 organizations worldwide maximize the value of customer data and improve the effectiveness of customer communications. Group 1 provides industry-leading technologies that allow businesses to cleanse and enrich their corporate data, generate personalized customer communications and integrate and deliver data across the enterprise. These technologies are essential components of enterprise applications including customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP) and business intelligence systems. Group 1 offers solutions utilized by leaders in the financial services, banking, GIS/mapping, retail, telecommunications, utilities, insurance and other industries, including such recognized names as Entergy, GEICO, L.L. Bean, MapQuest, QVC, Siemens, Wal-Mart and Wells Fargo.
Pitney Bowes is the world's leading provider of integrated mail and document management systems, services, and solutions. The $4.6 billion company helps organizations of all sizes engineer the flow of communication to reduce costs, increase impact, and enhance customer relationships. With approximately 33,000 employees worldwide, Pitney Bowes serves more than 2 million businesses through direct and dealer operations.
About Alicornio Africa
For the past six years, Alicornio Africa has serviced an impressive array of blue chip and other companies. In addition, they have continuously added to the knowledge pool of their industry by hosting leading international experts in the field in training and discussion forums. They have established themselves as leaders in the education of the expert and layman alike in the intricacies of the highly complex arena of business intelligence, information integration management, data warehousing, architecture, design and implementation. Alicornio Africa’s consulting services are both product and non-product specific. The company distributes and implements DOC1 for Customer Communication Management, and they are distributors and implementation specialists of the Sagent Solution for Information Integration and Istante software for RTE.
About Deloitte
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss Verein, its member forms, and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is an organization of member firms around the world devoted to excellence in providing professional services and advice, focused on client service through a global strategy executed locally in nearly 150 countries. With access to the deep intellectual capital of 120,000 people worldwide, Deloitte delivers services in four professional areas – audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services – and serves more than one-half of the world's largest companies. Services are not provided by the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Verein, and, for regulatory and other reasons, certain firms do not provide services in a four professional areas. As a Swiss Verein (association), neither Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu nor any of its member firms has any liability for each other's acts or omissions. Each of the member firms is a separate and independent legal entity operating under the names "Deloitte," Deloitte & Touche," "Deloitte Touch Tohmatsu," or other related names.
In the U.S., Deloitte & Touche USA LLP is the member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and services are provided by the subsidiaries of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP (Deloitte & Touche LLP, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Deloitte Tax LLP, and their subsidiaries) and not by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. The subsidiaries of the U.S. member firm are among the nation's leading professional services firms, providing audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services through nearly 30,000 people in more than 80 cities. Known as employers of choice for innovative human resources programs, they are dedicated to helping their clients and their people excel. For more information, please visit the U.S. member firm's website at http://www.deloitte.com/us.