RETAIL

STAMFORD, CT -- META Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: METG), today released its Enterprise Architecture Desk Reference, a unique guide that outlines the company's best-practice research and unique approach for the development, implementation, and refinement of enterprise architecture (EA) programs. According to George Paras, director of META Group's Enterprise Planning & Architecture Strategies (EPAS), and lead author of the report, high-performing companies understand the value of building agility into their architectures, especially during a down economy. "Having a disciplined approach to change management is the difference between architecture success and failure," said Paras. "There is definitely renewed interest in enterprise architecture. Today's IT-savvy executives realize the criticality of advanced planning to avoid exhausting budgets, resources, and potential market share by fighting reactive, project-level IT 'fires.' Strategy and cost-effectiveness might not have been high priorities in recent years, but they are most definitely on executives' minds these days." The release of the Enterprise Architecture Desk Reference comes at a time when the imbalance between proactive business planning and reactive peacekeeping is particularly critical. Recent economic conditions have forced many companies into survival mode, often distracting the attention of business managers and IT professionals away from long-term process disciplines such as EA planning. By implementing enterprise strategy/planning, architecture, and program management best practices, IT organizations are more capable of managing business requirements, aligning processes and technology with business strategy, improving IT agility, and delivering value to the business. "Business executives are demanding that IT organizations get back to basics and focus on the enterprise as a whole. A properly implemented EA program will bridge the gap between business strategy and IT implementation. It also better prepares the organization for change," said Paras. About the Enterprise Architecture Desk Reference Based on EPAS research and findings developed during the past several years of advising Global 2000 organizations on enterprise architecture, the report helps IT executives create, maintain, and refine the key planning disciplines required to manage an effective IT organization. By implementing enterprise strategy and planning, architecture, and program management best practices, IT organizations are more capable of managing business requirements, aligning processes and technology with business strategy, and improving the credibility of IT in delivering value to the business. EPAS offers pragmatic guidance, enabling clients to set clear direction, assess effectiveness, enhance adaptability, reduce risk, increase focus, and lower total cost of ownership across the portfolio of enterprise assets and activities. This publication is part of META Group's portfolio of research reports and decision tools. Extending META Group's advisory services, these in-depth reports and practical online decision support tools include IT benchmark research, technology selection research, and executive and best-practice resources. For more information on the Enterprise Architecture Desk Reference, visit www.metagroup.com.