Software AG awarded SWIFTReady Financial EAI Label for 2009

The certification exemplifies Software AG's leadership in connecting systems within and between financial services firms, and follows the company's recent acquisition of Teconomic AG, which strengthens Software AG's position in the SWIFT solutions marketplace.

"Attaining the SWIFTReady Financial EAI label demonstrates what Software AG can deliver to financial institutions in terms of integration to the SWIFT network and interconnectivity with other businesses," said Ivo Totev, Member of the Executive Board, Software AG. More than 8,500 financial institutions in over 200 countries rely upon SWIFT as the global standard for ensuring reliable, secure and assured messaging between member institutions.

"SWIFT certification highlights Software AG's commitment to delivering optimised payment processes and solutions to corporations that enable low-cost and high-volume transactions. Combined with Software AG's robust growth companywide and among our financial services customer base in particular, this certification is another evidence of our leadership in the financial sector."

Totev added.

Marco Gerazounis, Senior Vice President, Software AG, Middle East, said: "The SWIFT certification will deliver a significant boost to Software AG's expansion activities in the Middle East and help consolidate our reputation as the leading provider of financial services in the region. This new breakthrough is likewise an important step in enhancing our capability to support our clients in overcoming the unique challenges they are facing in the Middle East."

Software AG's business expansion is also demonstrated by the company's recent acquisition of Teconomic AG, which provides comprehensive IT consulting services and solutions to the European financial sector. The combination of the two companies' software and services will make Software AG a major player in the SWIFT solutions market and builds on Software AG's commitment to supporting industry standards by enhancing its support for ISO 20022 messages, as well as increasing support for SWIFTNet services and industry initiatives such as TARGET2, T2S and SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area).

"Financial institutions are facing many challenges today, and a flexible, adaptable, and secure IT infrastructure is essential to remaining competitive while complying with differing new industry regulations. Our combined software and services bring financial institutions both the technical and business resources needed to effectively integrate to the SWIFT network, while providing them a flexible solution that can respond to those challenges," said Rudolf Gunz, Head of Software AG's Global Competency Center SWIFT and Banking Solutions.

Adding Teconomic AG's capabilities also reflects Software AG's commitment to support the full business needs of financial services firms in addition to the technical infrastructure they require. "The combination of Teconomic AG's deep industry expertise and Software AG's international presence and business process technology will enable financial institutions to address the three major challenges facing the industry: multiple national regulatory changes, continued market consolidation, and improved risk management," added Gunz. "We will play a major role in helping the financial sector adapt to these economic changes quickly and economically, and in implementing regulatory compliance in particular."