Client Results: Metastorm
Enterprise Technology Practice case study
Overview
In August 2007, Metastorm, a leading provider of software-based solutions for aligning strategy with execution, was ready to announce the acquisition of Proforma Corp., a Detroit-based maker of Enterprise Architecture (EA) and Business Process Analysis (BPA) tools.
Challenge
The Proforma announcement was significant on two fronts. It was the first in a line of acquisition moves from Metastorm in the second half of 2007. Also, the resulting product integration was unique to Metastorm and distinctive among standard market trends.
Given those parameters, extending the message beyond the traditional IT operations-focused audience to new channels that reach IT business strategists and senior executives would be critical to the campaign's success.
Strategy and campaign
With the acquisition of Proforma, Metastorm created a new category in the enterprise software market, combining Proforma's modeling tools with its own process management software. As a result of the acquisition, the company's portfolio delivered a best-of-breed solution that combined business strategy with IT execution within the process management market, propelling Metastorm beyond the BPMS space into a broader enterprise platform market.
Merritt Group brought that complete message to the client's target audience by scheduling a series of targeted, one-on-one briefings that allowed Metastorm executives to tell the whole story, from product integration to the company's larger business goal of going public in 2008.
Results
The merger was received favorably within key media and analyst circles, and as planned, Merritt was able to secure interest from strategic publications such as Red Herring, Wall Street Journal, IDG News Service, Network Computing, and others in meeting with Metastorm CEO Bob Farrell. The meetings resulted in 13 pieces of both Day 1 and Day 2 feature news coverage, reaching the client's desired audience.
News of the announcement was covered in key publications including business/financial press (Red Herring, Venture Wire, regional business journals, etc.) and IT publications (eWEEK, Network Computing, Network World, InfoWorld, InternetNews, Computerworld, and others).
"The acquisition helps Metastorm compete better in a rapidly consolidating industry where stand-alone BPM vendors are disappearing and bigger platform vendors are rapidly adding BPM capabilities to their portfolios. With the Proforma acquisition, Metastorm may be one of the only companies outside of IBM to offer BPM and modeling software together..." said eWEEK Magazine.
When they win, so do we
Our greatest satisfaction comes from generating results for our clients. But it's also nice when our good work earns awards for ourselves.
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