Steelwedge Software Allies With Hitachi Consulting to Offer Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) Solutions

PLEASANTON, CA (October 4, 2005) -- Steelwedge Software, the leader in Enterprise Planning and Performance Management solutions, today announced an alliance with Hitachi Consulting, the business and IT consulting company of Hitachi, Ltd. Together they will offer Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) Solutions to help companies reduce complexity, create value and improve bottom-line results.
 
"We are pleased to team up with Hitachi Consulting in this joint effort to assist complex manufacturing businesses in developing sales and operations planning processes for improved corporate performance," said Steelwedge CEO Timothy Campbell. "Our solutions guide internal and inter-company collaboration, balancing committed supply with consensus demand forecasts leading to an Enterprise Plan of Record to which all functional teams execute. Steelwedge experience in high technology, telecommunications and complex manufacturing industries aligns well with Hitachi Consulting strengths and industry focus."

According to Tim Vaio, Managing Vice President of Supply Chain Solutions for Hitachi Consulting, "Improving sales and operations planning requires a three-pronged approach of proper business process design, overcoming organizational resistance, and deploying configurable technologies. Despite well-known revenue and cost benefits, developing a sound sales and operations planning process remains a key challenge for companies trying to increase organizational collaboration, maximize margins, optimize product mix and improve customer satisfaction. Steelwedge's unique Enterprise Enabled Excel and process-driven technology helps companies reconcile different operational and financial plans and addresses common business user concerns through a friendly, flexible and well-known user interface."

The two companies will offer comprehensive business process modeling that reconciles and aligns operations, sales, product management, supply and financial plans with the annual operating plan to create the Enterprise Plan of Record; scenario planning for demand, supply, ASP, revenue, product mix and margin changes; configurable best practice templates, reports and workflow; and definable business perspectives such as: product line, channel, region, sales, manufacturer and strategic business unit.

About Steelwedge Software

Steelwedge Software, Inc. is the leading innovator in the emerging field of Enterprise Planning and Performance Management (EPPM), helping manufacturing and service companies create, validate and synchronize functional plans, as well as actively aligning them with business and financial targets to gain executive visibility and control over enterprise performance. Leading customers include Air Products and Chemicals, Qlogic, Enterasys Networks, Harley-Davidson, Juniper Networks, Tellabs and FedEx. Founded in 2000, Steelwedge Software is located in Pleasanton, California. For more information, please visit www.steelwedge.com.

Steelwedge and all Steelwedge product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of Steelwedge Software, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective holders.

About Hitachi Consulting

As Hitachi, Ltd.'s global consulting company, Hitachi Consulting is a recognized leader in delivering proven business and IT solutions to Global 2000 companies across many industries. We leverage decades of business process, vertical industry, and leading-edge technology experience to understand each company's unique business needs. From business strategy development through application deployment, our consultants are committed to helping clients quickly realize measurable business value and achieve sustainable ROI.

Hitachi Consulting's client base includes nearly 30 percent of the Fortune 100 as well as many leading mid-market companies. We offer a client-focused, collaborative approach and transfer knowledge throughout each engagement. For more information, call 1.877.664.0010 or visit www.hitachiconsulting.com.

Hitachi Consulting -- Inspiring your next success!®

About Hitachi

Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 347,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2004 (ended March 31, 2005) consolidated sales totaled 9,027.0 billion yen ($84.4 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.hitachi.com.

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     Kickstart Consulting
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