InformationWeek 500
List of Top Technology Innovators Across America
"B the Difference" employee-driven program ranks Blackbaud at number 209 on the list
Charleston, S.C. (September 15, 2010) – Blackbaud, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLKB), the leading global provider of software and services for nonprofits, today announced that it made this year's InformationWeek 500, an annual listing of the nation's most innovative users of business technology. Blackbaud debuted on the list this year at number 209. The 2010 list was revealed last night at a gala awards ceremony at the exclusive InformationWeek 500 Conference taking place at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, CA.
"We are honored to be recognized among the leading technology innovators in the United States as part of the 2010 InformationWeek 500," said Todd Lant, vice president of corporate IT. "The entire employee base at Blackbaud took our corporate values to heart by participating in a company-wide project called 'B the Difference', and we are pleased to be recognized for this innovative program. Blackbaud's ability to improve customer service, implement new technologies and maintain momentum on existing strategic IT initiatives while consolidating significant operations illustrates the success."
"B the Difference", Blackbaud's employee-driven program, focused on improving customer satisfaction and reducing cost. The program led to numerous initiatives focused on strengthening the business. Most notably, on the IT front, multiple subsidiary operations were integrated. The scope of this effort included consolidation of major data centers and infrastructure, centralization of ERP and CRM applications and business processes and reorganization of IT operations to more adequately reflect the needs of external and internal customers.
"For 22 years, the InformationWeek 500 has honored the most innovative users of business technology," said InformationWeek Editor In Chief Rob Preston. "As we start to emerge from the worst recession in decades, the IT focus is now on driving growth—new sources of revenue, new relationships with customers, even new business models. This year's ranking placed special emphasis on those companies and business technology executives leading that charge."
InformationWeek identifies and honors the nation's most innovative users of information technology with its annual 500 listing and also tracks the technology, strategies, investments and administrative practices of America's best-known companies. Top winners have included: CME Group, Conway, National Semiconductor, Kimberly-Clark, Hilton Hotels and Unum. The InformationWeek 500 rankings are unique among corporate rankings as it spotlights the power of innovation in information technology, rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders.
Additional details on the InformationWeek 500 can be found online at www.informationweek.com/iw500/.
About Blackbaud
Blackbaud is the leading global provider of software and services designed specifically for nonprofit organizations, enabling them to improve operational efficiency, build strong relationships, and raise more money to support their missions. Approximately 22,000 organizations — including University of Arizona Foundation, American Red Cross, Cancer Research UK, The Taft School, Lincoln Center, In Touch Ministries, Tulsa Community Foundation, Ursinus College, Earthjustice, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the WGBH Educational Foundation — use one or more Blackbaud products and services for fundraising, constituent relationship management, financial management, website management, direct marketing, education administration, ticketing, business intelligence, prospect research, consulting, and analytics. Since 1981, Blackbaud's sole focus and expertise has been partnering with nonprofits and providing them the solutions they need to make a difference in their local communities and worldwide. Headquartered in the United States, Blackbaud also has operations in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com.
About InformationWeek Business Technology Network (http://www.informationweek.com/)
The InformationWeek Business Technology Network provides IT executives with unique analysis and tools that parallel their work flow – from defining and framing objectives through to the evaluation and recommendation of solutions. Anchored by InformationWeek, the multimedia powerhouse that looks across the enterprise, the network scales across the most critical technology categories with online properties like DarkReading.com (security), IntelligentEnterprise.com (application architecture), NetworkComputing.com (networking and communications) and PlugintotheCloud.com (cloud computing). The network also provides focused content for key IT audiences, such as CIOs, developers, SMBs and IT Support Managers via InformationWeek Global CIO, Dr. Dobb's, InformationWeek SMB, and HDI respectively, as well as vital vertical industries with InformationWeek Financial Services, Government and Healthcare sites. Content is at the nucleus of our information distribution strategy, and the network provides a deep and rich portfolio of decision-making tools and peer based research through InformationWeek Analytics, the leading service for peer-based IT research and analysis. IT professionals turn to our experts and communities to stay informed, get advice and research technologies to make strategic business decisions. The InformationWeek Business Technology Network is part of UBM TechWeb.
Media Contacts:
Melanie Mathos
Blackbaud, Inc.
843.216.6200 x3307
melanie.mathos@blackbaud.com
Sherbrooke Balser
InformationWeek
949.223.3605
sbalser@techweb.com
Source: Blackbaud
Forward-looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks related to our dividend policy and share repurchase program, including potential limitations on our ability to grow and the possibility that we might discontinue payment of dividends; risks relating to restrictions imposed by the credit facility; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles, particularly in larger organizations; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or upon request from Blackbaud's investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.