IND/URS Corporation Partners to Show How NJ Companies Can Use Technology to Gain Competitive Advanta

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 13, 2004 --

Parsippany � The race is on! Experts agree that the success of all businesses will inevitably be based on the effective use of technology. Forrester Research states one of the Top Trends for 2004 is, �ongoing pressure to achieve IT/business alignment.� This pressure is created by the knowledge that those companies that can gain early success in achieving the integration of technology into their strategic business plans, and align the power of technology with business processes, will have a significant competitive advantage, achieve dramatic cost savings leading to higher profits and advantage over those companies that lag behind.



New Jersey companies can elect to either take a leadership role and gain the advantages that can come from being a leader, or can be a follower and allow other states to achieve the business advantages.



Two New Jersey companies, URS Corporation and IND, are taking action. URS ranks as the world�s leading design firm. IND is a 14 year Pine Brook, New Jersey based e-business enablement firm recently recognized by NJBiz Magazine as �One of New Jersey�s Finest Companies.�

For nearly a year, URS and IND have been partnering to create the technology based strategy to deliver the construction and engineering services offered by URS to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (NJSCC) and over a dozen school districts engaged in multi-million dollar school construction projects in New Jersey.



The goal of the URS/IND partnership is to provide more cost effective, efficient and quality service by applying IND�s IT/business alignment and e-business enablement methodology to the delivery of URS services. The New Jersey URS project, up until recently was under the leadership of Scot Bini, a Middletown, New Jersey resident. He has recently been promoted to head up the URS National Education Markets.

Scot Bini said, �When IND introduced me to their IND E-Business Enablement Methodology�, which is based on strategic business planning and budgeting, management by objectives (MBO), and return on investment (ROI) criteria, I said that is exactly what I need � a plan that will allow me to make technology decisions with the knowledge that there is low risk and can deliver significant value to our business, the NJEDA, the SCC, our business partners, and our customers.�



Dr. Whiting believes that New Jersey is positioned to become a leader in the use of technology to gain competitive advantage and increased profitability for those companies that can follow the lead of URS.



IND has made a proposal to New Jersey Governor James McGreevey regarding this issue. �If our leaders got behind a plan to support all New Jersey companies in the effective use of technology, it could have a significant impact on the state�s economy and the quality of life for residents.�

Dr. Whiting believes that New Jersey political leaders have a significant opportunity to provide the leadership that can expedite the progress of New Jersey businesses in achieving early IT/business alignment and e-business enablement. �The benefits will be significant for all New Jersey residents,� he predicts.