Micrografx and Minitab to Create Integrated Solutions

Micrografx Inc and Minitab Inc, are working together to create best-inclass, integrated solutions for Six Sigma process management and statistical analysis.

Through this collaborative effort, Micrografx and Minitab will assist organizations undergoing Six Sigma initiatives to improve the quality of their business processes, significantly improving return on investment through increased efficiency and effectiveness.

With its strong process modeling capabilities and ease of use, Micrografx's iGrafx Process facilitates simulation of Six Sigma solutions, while Minitab supplies comprehensive statistical software for Six Sigma practitioners. By leveraging the strengths of each company and integrating their leading software products, Micrografx and Minitab will offer the most complete and powerful Six Sigma software solutions on the market.

"By melding Micrografx's graphics-based process modeling solutions with Minitab's advanced statistics capabilities, we will combine the crucial elements of a Six Sigma deployment into a single solution set for users," said David Wright, vice president of strategic relationships for Micrografx. "Six Sigma black belts now will be able to visualize and validate solutions to their business problems, no matter how complex."

Representatives from the two companies will be available to discuss their newly formed relationship at the 53rd Annual Quality Congress, hosted by the American Society for Quality May 8-10 in Indianapolis.

"This collaboration between Micrografx and Minitab will create the next generation of Six Sigma technology," said Jean-Pierre Mulley, product manager for Minitab. "By allowing the free flow of data between MINITAB and iGrafx Process, Six Sigma black belts will have what until now was not available: an integrated toolkit for each step of the Six Sigma DMAIC process -- define, measure, analyze, improve and control."

"We are committed to providing technology that will allow significant return on investment from Six Sigma efforts, which quickly are becoming the pinnacle of quality standards across a wide spectrum of industries," said Douglas Richard, president and CEO of Micrografx. "Our new relationship with Minitab will play a significant role in Micrografx's growth by providing organizations with best-in-class, integrated Six Sigma tools."

About Micrografx Inc.

Micrografx is a recognized global leader in providing software, solutions and services enabling customers to improve productivity by graphically visualizing, improving and implementing key business processes. By visualizing and interacting with the data and information associated with these business processes, our customers improve time-to-market, customer satisfaction and profitability. Key customer initiatives include improving and implementing processes that drive e-business, quality initiatives like Six Sigma, and key line-of-business applications including supply chain management, interactive parts catalogs and interactive electronic technical manuals. Visit www.micrografx.com for more information or contact 888-744-1210.

About Minitab Inc.

Minitab Inc provides practical, easy-to-use statistical software and exceptional customer service to help companies achieve world-class quality. Distinguished customers such as GE, 3M, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, DuPont, Monsanto, Honeywell International, DOW Agro Sciences, Exxon, Mobil Chemical and the leading Six Sigma consulting groups, rely on MINITAB to make data-driven decisions. Minitab Inc, headquartered in State College, Pa., operates offices in the United Kingdom and France and has distributors throughout the world.

Contact BSMG Worldwide, Lesley Hensell 214-495-4281 pr@micrografx.com.