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Proha Plc Stock Exchange Bulletin October 26, 2006
On October 26, 2006 the Proha Board of Directors approved the new strategy for Proha.
Proha is one of the leading software and service companies specializing in project management. We support customers executing projects and managing project business by providing a comprehensive set of tools and services with the best project management practices.
New software product
As part of our new strategy we will commercialize a new software product line codenamed SafranOne which is being developed in our development organization in Finland and in Asia.
SafranOne tools contain a selection of project management functionalities, as well as general configurable framework that our customers will use both for investment oriented management of industrial projects and for people oriented management of project organizations.
Safran One tools are developed on top of our existing Safran Project and Safran for Microsoft Project products. They are based on Microsoft technologies and integrate with many of the widely used systems on the market, such as existing project and portfolio management products and ERP systems extending their functionalities and life cycles. SafranOne also utilizes the modern intelligent SMS (iSMS) based mobile functionalities developed within the Proha mobile business unit providing unique capabilities for project collaboration.
Group Structure
Proha Group consists of two divisions:
(1) Dovre Consulting and Services division providing project and supply chain management consulting and services and
(2) Safran Systems division developing, selling and supporting world class project management software.
Currently, oil and gas industry companies make up the majority of the customer base of both divisions.
Proha Group and its divisions utilize synergies in project management know-how, software, distribution channels and customer bases. We operate internationally and our largest operations are in Norway, USA, Canada and Finland. Our international presence will be further extended through both organic growth and acquisitions during the coming years.
- The Artemis divestment and Fabcon acquisition executed earlier this year changed Proha Group significantly from what it was only nine months ago, says Pekka Pere, President and CEO of Proha Plc. The new strategy and structure give us a new direction that will take us back on track of growth and profitability. Now after major changes, our organization can again focus on developing better tools and providing better services to our customers.
Dovre Consulting and Services division consists of Dovre International AS and its recently acquired Fabcon companies. Dovre is a leading project management and supply chain management consultancy and service provider for large customers globally. Dovre aims at increased market share in the industries outside oil and gas sector while maintaining the leading position in the Norwegian oil and gas industry and strengthening the international business in the field. Currently Dovre employs approximately 260 people in nine countries.
- The successful growth of the Consulting and Services division can now become even stronger when our consultants also have access to powerful new tools while assisting our customers, says Arve Jensen, Managing Director of Dovre International AS.
The software business of Proha is reorganized by establishing the internationally operating Safran Systems division. The leading principles of our software business are:
1) Focused, affordable and fast product development based on cooperation between Nordic innovation teams, Asian development teams and the Group’s project management specialists
2) Range of services supporting the software customers
3) International sales organized according to customers
4) Close cooperation with few selected partners, including Microsoft
Safran Systems division develops and sells project management software that our customers will use both for management of industrial investment projects, and for management of project organizations. Safran Systems division will integrate its own innovations with technologies of selected partners making the products compatible with many of the widely used systems on the market. Safran Systems will provide added value for existing project management and ERP systems by extending their functionalities and life cycles. Safran product platform covers all the main standardized processes of project management. Microsoft project management and collaboration tools are one of the division’s focus areas. Proha is a Microsoft Gold Certified partner and Safran is one of the few official international launch partners for Microsoft Project 2007.
The operations and products of Proha’s Norwegian subsidiary Safran Software Solutions AS, Finnish subsidiary Datamar Oy as well as the Proha Mobile Business Unit are organized as Safran Systems division. The new integrated and internationally operating division will be better positioned to serve our current and new customers worldwide.
- I look forward to the commercial availability of Safran One product line, says Steinar Dalva, Managing Director of Safran Software Solutions AS. The new tools will improve our ability to integrate our products with other systems. With them we can also offer our customers tailored web portals and other improved web functionalities and extend the functionalities of our existing Safran Project and Safran for Microsoft Project products. Now our consultants are also better equipped to efficiently customize our products to customer specific requirements.
During the first half of 2006, the net sales for the continuing operations were EUR 17.8 million. Currently Proha Group employs approximately 310 people approximately 260 of whom in Dovre Consulting and Services division and 50 in Safran Systems division.
Growth Strategy
Both Safran Systems division and Dovre Consulting and Services division will focus on profitable international growth. On both sides of the business, the further integration of services and systems will improve our competitiveness and increase the value we will be delivering to our customers.
In addition to organic growth, Proha Group divisions will seek growth by expanding its international sales and services network through acquisitions. The growth through a series of structured acquisitions is intended to be gained at a low risk level by maintaining a moderate level of capital employed and not committing the group’s cash reserves extensively.
New management responsibilities and management team
Pekka Pere continues as the President and CEO of Proha Group. He will also have the responsibility to manage the Safran Systems division of Proha.
Arve Jensen has been appointed as the Executive Vice President of Proha Group with the responsibility to manage the Dovre Consulting and Services division of Proha. He also continues as the Managing Director of Dovre International AS.
Birger Flaa has been appointed as the Senior Vice President of Proha Group with a special responsibility to manage the international expansion of Dovre Consulting and Services division of Proha. He continues as a Board Member of Proha Plc.
Steinar Dalva has been appointed as the Senior Vice President of Proha Group with the responsibility to manage the existing Safran products and the relationships with the international partners. He also continues as the Managing Director of Safran Software Solutions AS.
Pekka Halonen transfers to take responsibility for the Growth Ventures operations aiming at the inorganic growth of both divisions through a series of structured acquisitions.
Sirpa Haavisto continues as the Chief Financial Officer of Proha Group and Janne Rainvuori as the Proha Group Corporate Counsel.
Proha Group also has a new management team with Pekka Pere as the chairman. The other members of the management team are Arve Jensen, Birger Flaa, Steinar Dalva, Sirpa Haavisto and Pekka Halonen. Janne Rainvuori as the corporate counsel will be the secretary of the management team.
Proha in brief
Proha is one of the leading providers of enterprise level project management software and services. We support customers executing projects and managing project business by providing a comprehensive set of tools and services with the best project management practices. During the first half of 2006, the net sales for the continuing operations were EUR 17.8 million. Currently Proha Group employs approximately 310 people approximately 260 of whom in Dovre Consulting and Services division and 50 in Safran Systems division.
Proha Plc
Pekka Pere
President and CEO
More information
PROHA PLC
CEO Pekka Pere, tel. 358 (0)20 4362 000
pekka.pere@proha.com
http://www.proha.com
Distribution:
Helsinki Stock Exchange
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