Canadian Distributor for ProVision Workbench

Proforma unveils ProVision 4.0 -

Adding Simulation and Knowledge Management to

Process and Object Modeling Product Suite

Proforma Unveils ProVision 4.0 - Adding Simulation and Knowledge Management to it's process and object modeling product suite

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (August 13, 2001) — Proforma Corporation, a leading provider of business process modeling solutions, today launched ProVision Workbench™ 4.0—an advanced suite of business process modeling solutions that combines powerful new tools for discrete event simulation, enhanced workflow analysis and comprehensive knowledge management. In addition, ProVision 4.0 utilizes XML schema for easier collaboration between applications.<BR
> Introduced in 1995, ProVision is a family of products that helps organizations visualize their business processes and then develop technology solutions that are aligned with these processes. With version 4.0, Proforma adds capabilities for capturing qualitative, not just quantitative, simulation results that provide insight into how various resource allocations can impact a business process.

According to Jim Sinur, Gartner Group vice president and research area director, today’s competitive marketplace dictates that companies more closely align their processes to achieve financial and competitive advantages. “As organizations strive to optimize their operations, they need to test their workflows before making a significant investment in actual systems. Business process analysis tools, like ProVision 4.0, are valuable because they examine workflows virtually,” Sinur said. “By using these tools, companies can establish consensus, efficiently allocate resources, evaluate the impact of change, improve the quality of goods and services and minimize costs— all while boosting return on investment.”

Spearheading the new lineup of tools available with ProVision 4.0 is SimulatorPro, a sophisticated discrete event simulator that examines complex processes by measuring the timing, queues, schedules, costs and other variables associated with real business situations. The industry’s only discrete event simulator with multiple scenario capabilities, SimulatorPro easily allows a user to specify resources for processes and identify any constraints and bottlenecks that might be present.

“Our customers were looking for a tool that would help them perform more sophisticated process simulation and animation. To fill that void, we designed SimulatorPro with the ability to define multiple scenarios,” said Ron Pellegrino, Proforma’s president. “For the first time, companies can simply and inexpensively run an unlimited number of ‘what if’ analyses. Whether they are looking to improve current processes, develop new e-business applications or implement packaged software, SimulatorPro enables organizations to identify the most cost-effective and time-efficient business processes possible.” Huntsville, Ala.-based DESE Research, Inc., a knowledge-based organization that conducts theoretical and analytical research in the fields of defense, energy, space and environment, is an example of a current Proforma customer that has been waiting for tools like ProVision 4.0 and SimulatorPro. According to Hugh Mensh, Proforma’s Director of Business Development, “We have also have customers like K-Mart Corporation that have saved over 6 million dollars in six months, with the new capabilities in SimiulatorPro we will show them how to save even more.”

Other capabilities available with the ProVision 4.0 product suite include:

- Analysis and Reports—intelligent new charts, graphs and grids that provide visualization of modeling and simulation results.

- Knowledge Map—a central repository where intellectual capital is linked with the corporate models developed in ProVision. With this tool, organizations now can manage items such as procedure manuals, presentations, web sites links and emails that are contextually tied to business processes. ProVision 4.0 makes all these artifacts accessible with just one click of the mouse.

- Story Board Modeler—a modeler that helps companies visualize processes in terms of a map of user interfaces.

- Opportunity Modeler—a business modeling tool that defines opportunities for process improvements and delivers cost-benefit equations.

- Problem Modeler—a modeler that defines process problems within activities and evaluates their cause and effect.

- XML Schema—the ability to exchange repositories via an XML schema. The emerging business-to-business collaboration protocol, XML enables ProVision 4.0 to easily communicate and exchange data with related solutions, such as application design and construction tools.

For more information on Proforma or ProVision Workbench, contact Proforma at 248-356-9025 or proforma@proformacorp.com.  In Canada, contact Liscot Software at 905-333-3562 or info@liscot.com

About Proforma:  Proforma provides business-modeling software, consulting and training services that help organizations visualize, analyze and implement business processes. This improves performance through the design of more competitive, efficient and cost-effective processes. Stored within the ProVision Workbench™ software suite, the resulting business and process models become an organization’s documented best practices and provide the knowledge base for process improvement and management, ISO9000 and quality initiatives. Proforma’s solutions guide companies through significant events such as the transition to e-business, mergers and acquisitions, globalization and new product development. Founded in 1994, Proforma counts many of the Fortune 500 companies among its customers, including General Motors, American Express, Arthur Andersen and J.D. Edwards. For more information, go to www.proformacorp.com.

 

Proforma’s corporate headquarters are located at 26261 Evergreen Rd, Suite 200, Southfield, Michigan 48076. (248) 356-9775    Fax (248) 356-9025

In Canada, ProVision Workbench tools are distributed by

Liscot Software
3017 St Clair Ave Suite 207
Burlington, Ontario  L7N 3P5
Tel:  (905) 333-3562
Fax: (905) 333-9480

Email: info@liscot.com