AlphaGraphics® Implements Concursive’s ConcourseSuite 5.0 (formerly Centric CRM) to Ensure Consistent Communication With Customers, Employees and More Than 260 Franchise Locations

Concursive’s Next-Generation Software Suite Enables the ‘Extended Enterprise’ and Provides Alphagraphics’ Global Franchisee Network With On-Demand CRM, Web Content, and Team Collaboration Functionalities

NORFOLK, VA–(Marketwire – February 11, 2008) – Concursive Corporation, formerly Centric CRM, a leading developer of open source Customer Relationship Management (CRM), content management, and Enterprise 2.0 technologies, has announced that AlphaGraphics has implemented ConcourseSuite 5.0 in the company’s corporate headquarters and is recommending it as the preferred CRM program to its network of more than 260 print and visual communications franchises.

Part of the U.K.’s Pindar Group, AlphaGraphics operates a franchise network of more than 260 business centers worldwide, offering complete printing, document management and visual and marketing communications solutions. The network sought a front-office solution that would improve customer management and communications throughout its ‘extended enterprise,’ including employees, customers and franchisees based in the United States, Brazil, China, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Ireland, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the U.K.

To address this need, AlphaGraphics selected ConcourseSuite 5.0, a Web-based, front-office application that integrates CRM, Web content management and team collaboration. In addition to robust capabilities, ConcourseSuite 5.0 provides multiple deployment options with the same software application. For example, ConcourseSuite 5.0 is used by corporate staff at AlphaGraphics’ corporate headquarters in Salt Lake City. In addition, AlphaGraphics hosts a private, multi-tenant on-demand system for use by its network of franchisees. This dual system allows AlphaGraphics franchisees to collaborate, to manage projects and share information with corporate headquarters as well as other business center owners. Franchisees obtain all of the benefits of traditional SaaS (Software as a Service) applications — they don’t have to invest in expensive dedicated hardware, software or IT resources — while the corporation as a whole keeps its sensitive systems and data safe behind its own firewall.

Due to its true multitenant architecture, a single instance of ConcourseSuite 5.0 gives each franchise operation its own dedicated CRM, sales and Web content management system. ConcourseSuite 5.0 provides a wealth of tools to help each franchisee manage and grow his or her business. System capabilities include managing leads and marketing activities and tracking customer service queries; a Web content management system that allows franchisees to create customer-facing Web portals and e-commerce sites; and team collaboration tools that include shared workspaces, project management, discussion forums, and more.

AlphaGraphics Inc. CEO Kevin K. Cushing said, “ConcourseSuite 5.0 is a perfect fit for our business needs; its multi-tenant architecture lets each franchisee configure the solution to meet their specific needs. Because each AlphaGraphics business center is independently-owned and operated, we need to tie them all together using one adaptable solution that can support the different ways individual locations run their operations.”

Cushing continued, “We’re already receiving feedback from franchisees who are using ConcourseSuite 5.0. They love the simplicity of the interface, the easy accessibility via the Web, and its range of customer and project management capabilities. And because the solution is easy to use, training costs have been minimal.”

“Today’s businesses need to be able to collaborate easily across the enterprise and with their key stakeholders. Concursive recognizes this need and has evolved its flagship CRM solution to address multiple business issues,” said Michael Harvey, executive vice president, Concursive. “We wanted to provide a tool that would serve the needs of both the AlphaGraphics corporate office and their franchisee network with a seamless solution.”

ConcourseSuite 5.0 was launched to coincide with Concursive’s corporate name change and evolving strategy of providing a complete front-office solution that encompasses more than simple CRM. Concursive’s software brings together CRM, collaboration, content management, and Web 2.0 features including blogs, wikis and RSS feeds. The software is scalable to support thousands of users, but is ideal to help small business owners and franchisees run their organizations.

About AlphaGraphics

Established in 1970 in Tucson, Arizona, AlphaGraphics is part of the UK-based Pindar Group, a leading print and electronic media company that employs more than 2,500 people worldwide. The AlphaGraphics network is comprised of more than 260 business centers, offering complete visual communications solutions, located throughout the U.S. and in eight other countries. Its team members provide expert consultation for every element of their clients’ communication projects, including design, copying, printing, digital archiving, finishing, mailing services, oversized printing and promotional items.

About Concursive Corporation

Concursive Corporation is the developer of two advanced enterprise-class open source business productivity applications, ConcourseSuite (formerly Centric CRM) and Team Elements. Both are Java/J2EE-based web applications that run on virtually any standard platform, whether proprietary or open source. They have been in continuous development for almost seven years, share identical architectures, and are fully integrated.

Concursive’s products are used today by Fortune 500 companies in large configurations and by thousands of smaller enterprises. ConcourseSuite includes all common CRM modules and adds capabilities such as Website Authoring, integrated Web Content Management, Document Management, Customer Surveys, and advanced Help Desk functions. Team Elements delivers a complete Enterprise 2.0 team collaboration and community management suite. Concursive is a founding member of the Open Solutions Alliance and a member of the Red Hat Exchange (RHX). Among the investors in the company is Intel Capital. For more information, visit www.concursive.com.
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