Hitachi Consulting Debuts New Business Intelligence Offering Suite at Microsoft BI Conference

Hitachi Consulting Debuts New Business Intelligence Offering Suite at Microsoft BI Conference

Hitachi Consulting, the global consulting company of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), announces a new suite of Microsoft Business Intelligence (BI) service offerings focused on Business Intelligence and Performance Management (PM) at the Edge of the Enterprise. The launch of this offering will take place in conjunction with Hitachi Consulting’s Gold Sponsorship at the first-ever Microsoft BI Conference May 9-11, in Seattle.

The BIPM at the Edge suite of offerings is focused on helping companies enhance market-facing functions that have not traditionally had access to performance management and business intelligence capabilities. Hitachi Consulting’s vision is to equip Field Operations Management, Account Management and Supply Chain and Logistics Management with the tools and information they need to enhance performance. The offering suite leverages the integrated Microsoft suite of BI technologies, including SQL 2005, Analysis, Reporting and Integration Services, Business Scorecard Manager, ProClarity, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Excel 2007. It is designed to deliver BI and PM capabilities to a broad set of roles in areas we believe are at the edge of the enterprise, said Drew Naukam, vice president of the Hitachi Consulting Microsoft Strategic Service Line.

“Organizations traditionally deploy business intelligence solutions to core functions like finance, operations and senior management. Hitachi Consulting is helping companies become more market responsive by extending the traditional suite of BI tools and solutions to the Edge of the Enterprise,” said Mr. Naukam.

As a Gold Sponsor of the Microsoft BI conference, Hitachi Consulting will demo its Mobile BI and PM Solution, which equips Edge resources with BI and PM information and analytics. Edge resources can access this content via a multi-platform environment that leverages Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and Windows-enabled mobile devices. The solution demonstrates how companies can layer business intelligence toolsets on top of SAP and other ERP and data warehouse platforms. Hitachi Consulting will also present a Chalk Talk session at the conference called “Behind the Scenes with PerformancePoint Business Planner Calculations.” This discussion will help customers understand how to leverage the advanced calculation capabilities of the new PerformancePoint Server planning software to be released by Microsoft in the fall of 2007.

“Hitachi Consulting’s Business Intelligence and Performance Management at the Edge of the Enterprise offering suite is an extension of the strategic relationship between Microsoft and Hitachi Consulting. Hitachi Consulting is aligned with Microsoft’s People Ready Business campaign, and is helping its joint customers bring business intelligence and performance management solutions and tools to a greatly expanded audience,” said Ryan Buma, director of business development and partners, Microsoft Office Business Applications.

As a recognized market leader with Microsoft, Hitachi Consulting was named as the Microsoft BI/Data Management Partner of the Year in 2006 and serves on the Microsoft Business Intelligence Partner and Office Developer Advisory Councils. Hitachi Consulting also has appeared on the Gartner BI Magic Quadrant in 2006 and 2007.

“Companies intent on leading their industry are striving to understand their business performance, at all levels, on execution of strategy and ‘big bets’ much more intensely than in years past. The return on Business Intelligence investments is strong and predictable, but in many cases these programs return additional decision-making benefits companies do not anticipate,” said Todd Price, leader of the Hitachi Consulting National Business Intelligence and Performance Management team.

“Case study after case study demonstrate the power and effectiveness of BI and Performance Management activity. This is a growing business discipline where having an executive-sponsored multi-year roadmap and an enterprise approach is more important than ever,” Mr. Price concluded.

About Hitachi Consulting

As Hitachi, Ltd.’s (NYSE:HIT) global consulting company, Hitachi Consulting is a recognized leader in delivering proven business and IT solutions to Global 2000 companies across many industries. With more than 1,500 consultants across the United States, Europe and Asia, we leverage decades of business process, vertical industry, and leading-edge technology experience to understand each client’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 35 percent of the Fortune 100 and 25 percent of the Global 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 877.664.0010 or visit www.hitachiconsulting.com.

Hitachi Consulting – Inspiring your next success!®

About Hitachi

Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT)(TOKYO:6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 356,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2005 (ended March 31, 2006) consolidated sales totaled 9,464 billion yen ($80.9 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.
Contacts

Hitachi Consulting
Jim Budkie, 513-939-0312
Managing Vice President, Marketing
jbudkie {at} hitachiconsulting(.)com
or
Weber Shandwick Worldwide
David Nieland, Senior Vice President, 972-830-2663
dnieland {at} webershandwick(.)com