Alexander Forbes chooses Open Text's Livelink to provide a centralised, web-based 'Knowledge Management' solution

Beaconsfield, UK - 1999-01-05 - Recognising the need for a centralised information management system, Alexander Forbes , one of the world's largest international independent professional services organisation, has chosen to deploy Livelink, the collaborative knowledge management solution from Open Text , across the organisation. The initial phase is part of a multi-million dollar deal to be rolled out over a number of years.

Forbes provides risk and benefit related services and technical and administration capabilities to major organisations, small and medium sized businesses and individual clients. Critical to this area of business is the accuracy of information used with clients.

Tracey Limebeer, Associate Director, Alexander Forbes comments, "As our company continues to grow, an increasing number of disparate information repositories are being established. Working in a client server environment makes it harder to support and ensure the information stored within them remains consistent and accurate."

By centralising the information stored, Livelink will ensure consistency is always maintained. Limebeer continued, "Our exposure to publishing incorrect information will be reduced to almost nil."

Within the first month of evaluating Livelink, it became apparent to Alexander Forbes that the software was able to address many more issues than just document management. By providing a centralised working environment, Livelink will enable employees to collaborate centrally on projects, as well as share knowledge across the organisation and out to their client base.

"As Livelink is web-based, it provides us with a very cost-effective way of delivering access to a dynamic, central repository of information for all our employees, across all the divisions," explained Tracey Limebeer.

The contract for the implementation of Livelink was signed on 28th September 1998, the benefits of which were almost immediate. "The automation of our claims processing demonstrated immediate improvements to client service," said Tracey Limebeer.

Livelink will replace PC Docs, Staffware, and has been purchased as an Enterprise System for all divisions within Alexander Forbes. Livelink will run on an NT/ MS SQL platform and will provide access for all 4,500+ employees throughout the Alexander Forbes Group.

Stuart Hillston, Vice President Business Strategy & Planning said : " We are delighted that Alexander Forbes, one of the world's major financial organisation has become the first company to choose Livelink in South Africa. It is a great flagship account for us in a market where we expect dramatic growth."

About Alexander Forbes Group

The Forbes Group is a leading international independent professional services organisation, and one of the 10 largest firms of its kind in the world. Its activities, which are conducted directly and indirectly through its subsidiaries and associated companies, include risk management and risk finance consulting, employee benefit and actuarial consulting, health care administration and consulting, insurance, reinsurance and wholesale insurance broking, niche underwriting and related products and services.The Forbes Group has over 4 000 employees.

For more information, please contact

Jill Wilkin
Marketing Director, Northern Europe
Open Text UK Ltd.
(00 44) 01494 679700
jwilkin@opentext.co.uk

Myriam McLoughlin
Account Manager
Grant Butler Coomber
(00 44) 0181 322 1922
myriamm@gbc.co.uk