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Strategic Thought and Program Framework announce partnership to deliver one-stop solution to help meet corporate governance requirements(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Strategic Thought Group (STG), creator of enterprise risk management software Active Risk Manager (ARM), has announced a new partnership with Program Framework. Program Framework is a leading UKbased consultancy specialising in the deployment of Enterprise Project Management (EPM) and Portfolio, Programme & Project (PPM) control solutions powered by Microsoft technologies. The partnership will combine STG's proven track record in risk management software with Program Framework's close ties to Microsoft to deliver an integrated approach to enterprise risk management for companies using Microsoft EPM. In addition, the partnership will harness both parties' extensive experience in the energy and power generation sectors to provide customers in these industries with a complete, evolutionary and future-proof portfolio management solution. According to Paul Major, Chief Executive, Program Framework, "We chose to partner with Strategic Thought because Active Risk Manager has long been the chosen risk management solution in many of our customers' industries. The ARM integration module to Microsoft EPM is well timed as we are seeing a dramatic adoption of EPM as well as customers' vision for a risk adjusted view of their project portfolio. We can help organisations gain maximum value from this combination of ARM and EPM." Program Framework has established its own EPM implementation method, known as ProFIM, that integrates processes, people and organisation with technology. Program Framework's methodology deploys technology in an evolutionary manner, matched to the maturity level of the customer's organisation and its ability to absorb change. EPM is implemented in stages, activating additional functionality and increasing the user community over time. Major continued, "We are delighted to be working with Strategic Thought - it is perfect partnership. As a well-established Microsoft Gold Certified partner, specialising in the deployment of EPM, we are well positioned to help organisations build on the existing web and Microsoft Project capabilities of Active Risk Manager. By the end of 2009 ARM will be able to interface directly to the Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 solution. By bringing together two already widely used solutions this will provide customers with a logical step forward in the management of risk, projects and programmes right across an organisation." Karl Pringle, Global Alliances Director at STG commented, "Partnering with Program Framework will add real value and options to our customer base in how they manage and report upon programmatic and portfolio risk. We feel this partnership is perfectly timed with the launch of our Microsoft EPM integration module. At the same time, we can help Program Framework's customers to improve their maturity of enterprise program management by offering them a new but critical dimension in today's world - that of robust dynamic risk management." STG launched Active Risk Manager (ARM) in 2001 as the first web-based enterprise risk management system to support multi-departmental processes from different areas such as corporate, audit and projects by consolidating data to record, manage and mitigate risk. Many of the world's leading organisations including Lockheed Martin, NASA, UKMOD, Rio Tinto and Alstom are using Active Risk Manager. - ENDS - About Program Framework Program Framework is a leading UK-based consultancy specialising in the deployment of Enterprise Project Management (EPM) and Portfolio, Programme & Project (PPM) control solutions powered by Microsoft technologies. It is a Microsoft Gold Certified partner and has established partnerships with other consultancies, including Microsoft's Consulting Services, where Program Framework supplements these partners' capabilities with its specific skill sets. For more information, please visit: www.programframework.com About Strategic Thought Group plc: Strategic Thought Group plc (AIM:STR) addresses enterprise risk management (ERM) with pioneering software and services that can be implemented across organisations and stand alone projects in all industry sectors. STG's principal product, Active Risk Manager (ARM), is the world's most widely deployed and the only truly comprehensive web-based ERM solution available today. ARM enables the identification, registration, communication, analysis and management of risks and opportunities available in both quantitative and qualitative formats. It covers project and portfolio risk, supply chain risk management, business continuity, reputational risk, health and safety, governance, compliance risks and more. ARM can add value to any organisation, providing a competitive advantage in customers' bid and tender phases to help win more profitable business. ARM enables time programme delivery, and can minimise programme losses and cost overruns, leading to increased margins, optimised free cash flow and capital creation. ARM meets customer, regulatory and partner demands for increased transparency at both programme and corporate levels, which can lead to improved credit ratings and reduced insurance premiums. ARM is used by major organisations around the globe including USAF, EADS, British Nuclear Group, Rio Tinto, Lockheed Martin, Nestle, NASA, London Underground, Raytheon and SABIC. Strategic Thought Group, founded in 1987, is headquartered in the UKand its USoperation Strategic Thought Inc, is based in WashingtonDC. Visit www.strategicthought.comfor further information. ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2009 M2 COMMUNICATIONS |