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Press ReleaseBRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO SELECTS FLASHMAP SYSTEMS TO CAPTURE, COMMUNICATE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTSFortune 500 Leader Spanning 180 Markets Implementing FlashAtlas to Support Standardization, Integration, and Best Practices With over $1 billion in assets and ranked 164 in the Fortune 500 list, BAT's technology needs are both complex and geographically challenging. However, FlashAtlas, introduced by Flashmap in 2001, is a graphical portfolio management solution that allows large organizations such as BAT, to employ best practices in technology as well as effectively communicate technology strategies across the organization. "We found no competitive solutions that matched the FlashAtlas capabilities, so it seemed our choices were to build this initiative in-house or default to a more traditional database type solution," said Dan Petrone, Global Client Technology Strategist with BAT. "Like all large IT environments we have a wide array of technologies. Since change in both the business and technology worlds is a constant, we needed to be able to gain a clear roadmap and strategy for reacting to the natural evolution that occurs. FlashAtlas does that for us." Responding to a strategic mandate from senior management, Petrone framed an initial program of three phases. Phase One, which is already complete, used FlashAtlas to identify and map the current IT environment and standards while recommending options to unify standards across the global corporate infrastructure. Phase Two, slated to begin in May, rolls FlashAtlas out to BAT's top nine markets, who will use it to render graphical snapshots of their local systems and subsystems. They'll also compare their models with the one suggested by headquarters as the global standard. Phase Three rolls out the FlashAtlas functionality incrementally to the remaining international markets. Upon completion, all BAT's IT organizations will be able to compare standards, product lifecycles and best practices across the entire organization, with each market owning their own view. "FlashAtlas will enable us to make better decisions, and carry out those decisions more effectively and measurably," said Petrone. "It is by far the easiest and most effective solution available that allows us to both capture and communicate all levels of our assorted technology components across a large and complex global organization." About Flashmap Systems Founded in 2000, Flashmap Systems is a pioneer of cost-saving software products and services that enable top IT professionals to manage their technology portfolio and communicate corporate IT standards across the enterprise. Its lead product, FlashAtlas is used by more than a dozen mid- to large-sized organizations including Goodyear and American Financial. FlashAtlas empowers IT professionals to introduce new cost efficiencies through more efficient use of existing technologies and better targeted purchases and licensing. The company is based in Newton, MA. www.flashmapsystems.com About British American Tobacco British American Tobacco is the world's most international tobacco group, operating in more countries than any other. Active in 180 markets, their fifteen per cent global market share resulted in a 2002 pretax profit of GBP 2,065 million. The Business in the Environment Survey, ranked BAT at number 32, making it the top tobacco company. Their goals are not only to continue creating long term, sustainable shareholder value, but also to lead the tobacco industry in demonstrating corporate social responsibility and wider accountability. FlashAtlas is a trademark of Flashmap Systems, Inc. All other products or company names are used for identification purposes only, and may be trademarks of their respective owners. |
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