Retail Partner Network: Lawson Unveils Expanded Global Partner Network

Record partner participation at Lawson CUE provides platform to demonstrate customer value of strategic partner network

Lawson Software (Nasdaq:LWSN) today unveiled the company's global partner network strategy. The company did so at the annual Lawson Conference and User Exchange (CUE) in San Diego, Calif. The Lawson Partner Network is a key element of the company's strategic direction following its 2006 acquisition of the former Intentia International AB, which made Lawson a global ERP provider.

Lawson has a long-established partner strategy, involving dozens of strategic partners. The Lawson Partner Network now encompasses four types of partners:

• Service partners - including a number of system integrators that will work with Lawson on industry-specific implementations.
• Channel partners - including several geographically dispersed partners to serve as resellers in countries where Lawson does not currently have a direct presence.
• Software/product partners - including software providers that offer best-of-breed applications that complement and interface with Lawson's enterprise applications to address industry-specific challenges for customers.
• Technology partners - including industry-leading companies that offer platform and technology solutions that will help lower a customer's total cost of ownership, increase return on investment and enhance the performance of Lawson applications.

"Our strategy creates a customer-focused partner ecosystem that addresses our customers' industry-specific needs while providing the breadth and scope of product, sales and implementation choices that our customers need," said Brian Sterrett, vice president of partners and channels for Lawson. "We are aligning with partners in each of our target vertical markets who are willing to invest in long-term shared success with Lawson."

Lawson has recently announced several new global partnerships that support its four-pronged partner strategy, including new channel partner and system integration agreements in Greece, Italy, Russia and Germany - as well as a vertical industry reseller agreement with IBM targeting U.S.-based small and midsize businesses. In addition, today Lawson announced new technology partnerships with IBM to begin providing hosted solutions and to complete the middleware stack for Lawson System Foundation 9.

The value of strong partner networks has become a greater focal point in the enterprise software industry in recent years. A June 2006 Gartner Dataquest report, SMBs Create the Next Great Shift in the Business Application Channel, explored the importance and value of partner networks for small and midsize businesses. The report states, "During the past two years, business application vendors have expanded the role of partners. They are no longer seen as professional service providers, but rather they are seen as core to the vendors' SMB go-to-market models."

About Lawson Software
Lawson Software provides software and service solutions to 4,000 customers in manufacturing, distribution, maintenance and service sector industries across 40 countries. Lawson's solutions include Enterprise Performance Management, Supply Chain Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, Customer Relationship Management, Manufacturing Resource Planning, Enterprise Asset Management and industry-tailored applications. Lawson solutions assist customers in simplifying their businesses or organizations by helping them streamline processes, reduce costs and enhance business or operational performance. Lawson is headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., and has offices around the world. Visit Lawson online at www.lawson.com.