SOFE DARM : Software AG Cited As a Leader in Strategic Portfolio Management by Independent Research Firm

Darmstadt, Germany, Monday, October 9, 2017

Software AG today announced that Forrester Research Inc., a leading industry analyst firm, has named Software AG a 'Leader' in The Forrester Wave™: Strategic Portfolio Management Tools, Q3 2017 (published on September 20, 2017) for its Alfabet solution. Part of Software AG's Digital Business Platform, Alfabet offers management and governance capabilities across multiple business and IT portfolios to provide the CIO and other leaders with the information they need in order to make broad, directional and strategic decisions.

Thirteen vendors were evaluated in the report on twenty-seven different criteria. Software AG received the highest score possible in the product, corporate and go-to-market strategy criteria, which it regards as confirmation of its thought-leadership in the portfolio management arena.

The Forrester report recognizes that digitalization is the driving force for strategic portfolio management: 'Digital transformation challenges the way companies plan and deliver products and services to their customers. Speed is a prerequisite. Getting the most value while keeping waste to a minimum illustrates that companies need a portfolio-centered approach to both strategic planning and product delivery.'

Software AG sees the transparency into complex interdependencies and powerful portfolio analytics afforded by Alfabet as an enabler for companies wanting to quickly advance on their strategy to achieve competitive advantage. According to the Forrester report, 'SPM delivers insight by compiling and translating strategic plans into portfolios, leveraging insight from internal and external data sources to provide a look into investment strategies from various perspectives, including capabilities, products, programs, applications, and projects.' As per the report: '[Software AG] Customers referenced the ability to better tie investments to capabilities in order to deliver on their strategic portfolios.'

Agility in Planning, Delivery and Decision-making Key for Digital Innovation

Agile planning and delivery practices in IT are core to staying ahead of business demands for innovative digital solutions. Software AG considers Alfabet to have strong support for these as well as a solid and comprehensive information base which supports fast decision-making. The Forrester report notes that Software AG has 'significantly expanded its portfolio planning and delivery capabilities to include both traditional and Agile capabilities.' Dr. Wolfram Jost, Chief Technology Officer and member of the Board, Software AG, said: 'Strategic portfolio management is pre-requisite for digital business success. Our customers can be confident they are going with a leader as confirmed by this Forrester Wave.'

In just over half a year, starting on May 25, 2018, this European Union (EU) GDPR regulation mandates that all companies and institutions are legally bound to rules aimed at protecting personal data and for upholding the data privacy rights of individuals residing in the EU.

Alfabet is part of Software AG's GDPR framework for addressing the challenges facing enterprises to meet the impending regulation.

By using Software AG's GDPR framework, organizations are equipped with the capabilities needed to fulfill the obligations imposed on them as processors of personal data. This includes the means to create a detailed record of processing activities, providing transparency into data, processes and applications in the context of GDPR. The framework enables firms to establish a governance, risk and compliance (GRC) framework to internally communicate guidelines and procedures for GDPR compliance, as well as monitor adherence to these, and to continue on a program of digital business and IT transformation while complying with GDPR.

GDPR, which impacts all organizations processing data from EU residents, mandates stronger rights for data subjects, more stringent obligations for data processors, significantly higher fines for infringement, and certifications as proof of compliance. The regulation replaces and unifies previous personal data protection laws in the EU member states, providing a standardized regulatory environment that is more favorable for international business.

For more information on Software AG's framework for GDPR visit: http://gdpr.softwareag.com/