Parity opens UK’s first multi-brand
education centre for IBM Software
~ aims to boost productivity and
raise implementation success rate ~

Parity, the IT training specialist, is to open the first Education Centre for IBM Software in the UK.

Parity will deliver technical training for IBM’s DB2*, Lotus*, and WebSphere* software portfolio - the only company in the UK to provide educational courses across all three product lines. The courses will be delivered out of Parity’s nationwide training centres, using courseware developed by IBM. The sessions are designed to provide skills that will help customers get the most out of their investment in IBM software.

“The need for our customers to maximise the benefits gained from their investment in technology is now greater that ever,”

said Paul Turner, business development director of Parity’s Training Division.

“The implementation of powerful new software solutions from IBM needs to involve the parallel activity of equipping personnel with the skills to fully utilise the application’s facilities and features.”

“IBM continues to work with companies like Parity to access their proven excellence in training and service delivery capability, as well as expertise with specific IBM software products,”

said Jane Phillips, director of worldwide education and operations, IBM Software Group.

“This is a terrific opportunity for Parity to leverage its existing skills and incorporate authorised IBM training into its customer value proposition.”

For more information about Parity, please visit LEWIS’ Virtual Press Room at http://www.lewisvpr.com/Clients/Parity.html.

* Denotes a trademark of the IBM Corporation.

NOTES TO EDITORS
About Parity Group plc
Parity Group is a leading provider of IT services, technology staff, training and human capital management solutions operating from over 30 offices across the UK, mainland Europe and the USA. It comprises three key areas:

Business Solutions designs, builds and operates complete systems covering a variety of business functions. Focusing on maximising investment returns, its consultants specialise in interactive commerce, customer relationship management, content management, Web-enablement, security and applications management, providing services across a range of
vertical sectors.

Resourcing Solutions is a professional services supplier providing permanent and interim technology staff. It advises companies on how to optimise the deployment and utilisation of staff and skills. It also supplies technology and consultancy to maximise the effectiveness with which its customers use external suppliers and internal resources. The division was selected as a finalist in the ‘Best International Recruitment Firm’ Professional Recruiter Awards 2002.

Training delivers bespoke and public scheduled courses in technology, management and business skills at eleven training centres nationwide and at customer sites. Blending traditional training with e-learning to achieve effective learning outcomes, it additionally provides a range of learning services spanning the design and delivery of integrated learning solutions to fully outsourced training and development.

Customers across the group include AT&T, CSFB, HP, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, Shell, and in the UK, Barclaycard, British Aerospace, BT, Consignia, Food Standards Agency, Lloyds TSB, National Health Service and ScottishPower.

For more information on Parity, visit www.parity.net

About Education Centers for IBM Software
Modeled after the proven Lotus Authorized Education Centers (LAEC) initiative, the Education Centers for IBM Software (ECIS) initiative creates an IBM software training channel and provides additional revenue opportunities for existing LAECs, Tivoli Authorized Training Partners, IBM Business Partners, training companies and services companies who deliver training. The Education Centers for IBM Software initiative creates a global education delivery model focused on increasing skills related to IBM software products, solutions, and technologies; and provides IBM customers in all markets with increased access to training.

For further information about Parity, please contact
Chris Holder or Ciaran Nelson at LEWIS, the PR agency
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7802 2626 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7802 2627
Email: christopherh/ciarann@lewispr.com Web: www.lewispr.com