Authoria User Conference 2004; New Integrated Products Receive Enthusiastic Response From Customers and Partners

Authoria, Inc., a leader in strategic Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions, has received resounding endorsements of its decision to acquire Advanced Information Management, Inc. (AIM) and offer integrated pay-for-performance solutions. The feedback came this week during the company's sixth annual user conference where it demonstrated the Authoria Advisor Series, its new suite of communication, compliance, compensation, and performance products that blend AIM’s powerful suite of enterprise pay-for-performance solutions with Authoria’s just-in-time knowledge and coaching for managers and employees.

With more than 180 in attendance, this year's user conference offered a wide range of in-depth tracks, one-on-one sessions with Authoria experts and partners, focused case studies and opportunities for attendees to discuss industry trends and exchange ideas. Interactive sessions spanning the three-day event included speakers from leading organizations such as ATK, Boeing, CUNA Mutual Group, First Data, IMC Global, LaFarge, Mass Mutual Financial Group, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and Zurich North America, among others, with topics addressing total compensation, application management, annual enrollment, employee self service, workforce service delivery and more.

In addition, Authoria recognized two customer companies, ATK, an advanced weapon and space systems company, and a second company, a leading provider of insurance and other financial services, with “Legend-maker” status, awards signifying their creative, innovative and leading edge use of Authoria products.

"This year's annual user conference was a great opportunity to connect with our customers and partners, and get their overwhelmingly positive feedback to our recent announcement," said Tod Loofbourrow, president and CEO of Authoria. "Our customers and partners recognize the significant benefits that our acquisition of AIM provides and how our new blended pay-for-performance applications support strategic HCM by aligning corporate and individual goals."

”AIM and Authoria are marrying great content and strong applications,” commented Amy Wolk, manager, Human Resources Service Center, Boston Scientific.  “This combination has the potential to propel managers at their customer companies to new heights.  Now, HR leaders and visionaries can focus less on the transactional aspects of human resources and more on supporting our organizations with strategic counsel.”

“The AIM announcement is a great extension of what Authoria has always done well, providing context around transactions,” said Russ Evansen, Human Resources Brand and Content manager at American Family Insurance.  “This powerful blend of capabilities answers a critical need for HR.  Good managers need to be aligned with employees in the pursuit of departmental, corporate and individual goals.”

Industry influencers also endorse Authoria's new direction.  “Authoria’s direction is consistent with the results from our 2003 Cedar Workforce Technologies Survey which points to solutions for managers and other strategic applications as becoming increasingly a top priority,” said David A. Link, vice president, HR Transformation, The Cedar Group.  “We’re excited about the immediate opportunity to introduce the new Authoria to our clients and prospects because now Authoria is even better positioned to be the foundation for strategic HCM.  The combination of products and services from AIM and Authoria delivers powerful solutions that our customers require as they are being called upon to deliver real business results.”  For access to the Cedar Workforce Technologies Survey, visit www.thecedargroup.com/whitepapers 

About Authoria
Authoria’s strategic human capital management (HCM) solutions help employers support enterprise-wide pay-for-performance initiatives and reach their high-level business objectives through their people. Authoria combines compensation and performance management with just-in-time knowledge and coaching for employees and managers, driving shareholder value at over 200 leading organizations, including Boeing, Pfizer, and Unocal. Authoria provides a strategic approach to effective communication, empowering employees to better understand and use benefit, policy and total compensation information. Visit www.authoria.com/news10

Note to editors: Authoria is a registered trademark and the Authoria logo and Authoria Advisor Series are trademarks of Authoria, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. All other names are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.  The software is protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 6,505,183, 6,633,859, 6,640,216 and other patents pending.