COGN Cognos (MM)

Cognos (Nasdaq: COGN; TSX: CSN), the world leader in business intelligence and performance management solutions, today announced that Papa Gino�s and D�Angelo, two of New England�s largest and most well respected quick service restaurant chains, have selected Cognos as their enterprise performance management solution. Papa Gino�s Inc., parent of Papa Gino�s Pizzeria and D�Angelo Grilled Sandwiches, recognized the need for an enterprise performance management solution that could integrate its multiple front- and back-office systems, including its custom Point-of-Sale (POS) system and Oracle/JD Edwards General Ledger, and optimize chain-wide planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting and analysis. After an extensive review of competitive offerings, Papa Gino�s and D�Angelo chose Cognos because it delivers the complete range of business intelligence and enterprise planning functionality through a single platform, simplifying deployment and use. Specifically, the companies will use Cognos 8 Planning to improve the efficiency of their decentralized planning, budgeting and forecasting processes across their 370 restaurants. Cognos 8 Business Intelligence will be used to gather and present key performance metrics, on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, in a clear, concise, and actionable manner to individuals responsible for restaurant operations. In addition, Cognos 8 BI will enable executives to easily identify and analyze key trends and make the necessary adjustments that drive value and satisfaction for guests, and profitable growth. �The success of Papa Gino�s and D�Angelo hinges on our commitment to providing high-quality products, attentive service, and a premium dining experience for every guest. We needed a performance management solution that could help us build on that success, by optimizing our infrastructure and supporting our future growth in current and new markets,� said Louie Psallidas, senior vice-president of finance and chief financial officer at Papa Gino�s, Inc. �We were impressed that Cognos could deliver both planning and business intelligence through a single, tightly-integrated offering that a company of our size could manage with our existing IT resources. Cognos improves both the collaboration and efficiency of our planning and analysis processes, provides an integrated view of the enterprise and reduces the administrative burden on our operations and finance teams.� QueBIT Consulting, a Cognos Platinum Partner and provider of enterprise planning and corporate performance management consulting services, was selected by Papa Gino�s and D�Angelo to manage their Cognos implementation. �Papa Gino�s and D�Angelo are taking progressive steps forward to increase operational visibility and improve decision-making with a complete performance management solution,� said Gary Quirke, president at QueBIT Consulting. �QueBIT is ensuring a successful implementation of the Cognos solutions, while providing value-added services for Papa Gino�s and D�Angelo as they optimize business processes to meet their business analytics goals.� Cognos 8 BI is the only BI product that provides the complete range of BI capabilities � reporting, analysis, scorecarding, dashboards, business event management, and data integration � on a single, proven architecture. Cognos 8 Planning�leverages Cognos 8 BI to enable reporting and analysis on real-time plans, and integrates with Cognos 8 Controller for certified financial data, providing customers with a consistent platform from which to plan future performance and avoid predictable surprises. Enterprise planning and business intelligence are key capabilities of the Cognos Performance Management System, which combines technology, best practices, analytical applications and solutions, and a broad network of partners into a single performance management solution for customers. �Successful restaurateurs understand that information about operations, products and customers is vital to sustainable success and that it is virtually impossible to create that information and insight without relevant technologies, such as enterprise planning and business intelligence software,� said Patricia Vekich Waldron, retail industry director at Cognos. �Papa Gino�s and D�Angelo recognize the value that Cognos solutions, including our Retail Performance Blueprints, play in driving visibility into chain-wide performance. We are delivering a solution that will allow them to link corporate strategy to store and operations execution in order to maximize profitability.� Cognos is a leader in delivering business intelligence and performance management solutions for the�retail industry. In fact,�36 per cent of the world's top 250 retailers, and over 300 retail chains worldwide,�are already Cognos customers. In addition to Papa Gino�s and D�Angelo, retail customers include Steak n Shake, Burlington Coat Factory, Amazon.com, 7-Eleven, and LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics. More information about Cognos solutions for retail can be found at http://www.cognos.com/solutions/industry/retail/index.html. ABOUT PAPA GINO�S AND D�ANGELO: Established in 1961, Papa Gino�s Inc. serves more than 50 million guests each year through its chain of 370 restaurants, including over 190 D�Angelo Grilled Sandwiches restaurants. Together, Papa Gino's and D�Angelo share a commitment to providing high-quality products; attentive service; clean, convenient, attractive restaurants, and a premium value for every guest. For more information, visit the Papa Gino�s Inc. Web site at http://www.papaginos.com. ABOUT QueBIT CONSULTING: QueBIT is a leader in Enterprise Planning and Corporate Performance Management consulting services for mid-market companies. Specializing in Cognos Enterprise Planning throughout North America, QueBIT partners with clients to develop customized solutions that work. QueBIT utilizes best practices and the latest technologies to provide companies with efficient, easy-to-use solutions at exceptional value. For more information, contact QueBIT at 1-800-QUEBIT1 or visit www.quebit.com. ABOUT COGNOS: Cognos, the world leader in business intelligence and performance management solutions, provides world-class enterprise planning and BI software and services to help companies plan, understand and manage financial and operational performance. Cognos brings together technology, analytical applications, best practices, and a broad network of partners to give customers a complete performance system. The Cognos performance system is an open and adaptive solution that leverages an organization�s ERP, packaged applications, and database investments. It gives customers the ability to answer the questions -- How are we doing? Why are we on or off track? What should we do about it? � and enables them to understand and monitor current performance while planning future business strategies. Cognos serves more than 23,000 customers in more than 135 countries, and its top 100 enterprise customers consistently outperform market indexes. Cognos performance management solutions and services are also available from more than 3,000 worldwide partners and resellers. For more information, visit the Cognos Web site at http://www.cognos.com. Cognos and the Cognos logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cognos Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. All other names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Note to Editors: Copies of previous Cognos press releases and Corporate and product information are available on the Cognos Web site at www.cognos.com.