Software AG's CEO Karl-Heinz Streibich is calling for all business executive board members to familiarize themselves with the new business opportunities being opened by the latest developments in the software industry. All industries are facing competing management attention for issues such as market consolidation, regulatory compliance, cost management, and the need to open new markets. These competing pressures can only be effectively balanced and managed through software, says Streibich.

"It is imperative that IT investment decisions receive full board attention in the current economic climate," says Streibich. "Executive boards that that are not aware of the strategic value that IT can bring to the enterprise are in danger of losing out to faster, more agile competition."

Software AG has seen increasing interest in the new business oriented infrastructure software technologies, unabated by the global financial slowdown. While investment decisions are taking longer in the current economic climate, investments are still forthcoming when a definite ROI is demonstrated.

Software AG will present its infrastructure optimization software at the world's largest IT fair, CeBIT, opening in Hannover, Germany on March 3rd.

"The evidence is clear," said Streibich. "Economies that invest early in software technologies for infrastructure optimization to reduce costs and increase flexibility gain a real competitive advantage. This has never been more true than in the current generation of business process management technologies."

Commenting on the economic stimulus package announced in Germany last week, Streibich continued: "The roll-out of the package should focus on the development of high-tech industries and the creation of high-value jobs, as is the case in the United States."