Ferris State University Chose QPR ScoreCard to Execute Their Strategy

HELSINKI, Finland, September 28 /PRNewswire/ --     QPR Software Plc, a global performance and process management software
vendor, today announced that Academic/Administrative Technology Services of
Ferris State University has selected QPR ScoreCard as their strategy
execution solution. QPR ScoreCard is a software solution that provides a
robust performance management tool that helps organizations plan, implement,
communicate and assess strategy, commit their people to objectives, improve
performance and foster a collaborative management environment that will help
lead organizations to success.

Public universities have an important role in enhancing a state's
economic, social and cultural well-being, and quality of life. Ferris State
University is committed to fostering a world-class learning environment and
prides itself on active student learning, the quality of their teaching and
research, their success at placing students in careers, and their
responsiveness to employers and other stakeholders. Even as Ferris increases
admission standards, Ferris continues to grow.

Like all public universities, Ferris faces many challenges in developing
and successfully executing their strategy within an increasingly ambiguous
and competitive environment. To meet the changing needs of their students and
the workplace, and to be able to achieve their goal of being the leading
College of Technology in the United States, Ferris identified their long-term
goals and decided that they want to implement them through initiatives in
ways that insure accountability. When it came to supporting the university's
academic strategy, information technology support must be in-line and
supportive of it. Academic/Administrative Technology Services that provides
that support recognized this need and responded to it with the development of
a balanced scorecard and the acquisition of performance management software.

"During our purchase process we evaluated several software products to
find the one that could fulfill best our multifaceted needs and support
challenging requirements we had set for our strategy execution. As QPR
ScoreCard was highly recommended by Dr. Hendricks, a well acknowledged
Balanced Scorecard (BSC) expert, and referred in several textbooks and
write-ups related to BSC methodology we felt that QPR ScoreCard was a sound
solution for us," says Scott M. Thede, Academic/Administrative Technology
Services Manager at Ferris.

Academic/Administrative Technology Services' strategy process is also
transparent as all the work of planning will be presented to the university
and other communities through a series of interactive stakeholder forums.
"QPR Scorecard's briefing booklet presented in QPR Portal contains the
relevant information customized for each individual user's needs we have.
Less time will be spent in delivering internal and external information in
the future. Also QPR ScoreCard's ability to automatically and manually pull
data from other systems for measures really impressed us. The Analysis view
shows in a very clear manner our strategic objectives, measures are
highlighted with green/yellow/red colors based on their status, and also our
performance trends are clearly visible for everyone. This provides us with
clear information what needs to be done and by whom," says Scott M. Thede.

"Not only does QPR ScoreCard help Academic/Administrative Technology
Services to communicate and manage their strategy, but also improves their
performance as it is designed to help an entire organization gain insight
into their strategy, its execution, potential weaknesses and the ongoing and
needed initiatives towards improving performance", says Maija Erkheikki,
Regional Vice President at QPR Software Inc.

"We expect a lot from our strategy execution, people's involvement and
progress in the future. Instead of choosing the most expensive product we
chose the most comprehensive full-value solution to forge the future of a
strong, vibrant, and successful Ferris", ends Scott M. Thede.

About Ferris State University

In 1884 Woodbridge N. Ferris founded an educational institution that has
grown into an 880-acre campus with state-of-the-art facilities. 12,578
students enrolled for fall 2006 classes studying Allied Health Sciences, Arts
and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Services, Optometry, Pharmacy and
Technology in more than 170 different educational programs, including
doctorates, master's, bachelor's and associate degrees. Ferris State
University will be a national leader in providing opportunities for
innovative teaching and learning in career-oriented, technological and
professional education. http://www.ferris.edu

About QPR Software Plc

QPR Software Plc has specialized in building performance and process
management systems since 1991. Our mission is to help people, communities and
businesses achieve their goals. With QPR solutions you can execute better
performing processes, get results fast and find out how QPR is easy to work
with. QPR software has been implemented in more than 1000 organizations
across the globe and is provided in more than 20 languages. QPR cooperates
with an extensive network of talented partners in over 50 countries
worldwide. QPR has its headquarters in Helsinki, Finland and is listed on the
Helsinki Stock Exchange.

QPR - Quality. Processes. Results. http://www.qpr.com

For more information, please contact:

    QPR Software Inc. 
    Maija Erkheikki, Regional Vice President
    maija.erkheikki[at]qpr.com 
    Tel: +1-510-455-4475

    Ferris State University 
    Scott M. Thede, Manager 
    Thedes[at]ferris.edu 
    Tel: +1-231-591-2899