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LAWSON SOFTWARE & THE HACKETT GROUP ADVISORY ALLIANCE AGREEMENT

Strategic Alliance Agreement

LAWSON SOFTWARE & THE HACKETT GROUP 

ADVISORY ALLIANCE AGREEMENT 

 | Document Parties: ANSWERTHINK INC | THE HACKETT GROUP  | Lawson Software company You are currently viewing:
This Strategic Alliance Agreement involves

ANSWERTHINK INC | THE HACKETT GROUP | Lawson Software company

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Title: LAWSON SOFTWARE & THE HACKETT GROUP ADVISORY ALLIANCE AGREEMENT
Governing Law: New York     Date: 5/13/2005
Industry: Computer Services     Law Firm: The Hackett Group, Inc.;     Sector: Technology

LAWSON SOFTWARE & THE HACKETT GROUP 

ADVISORY ALLIANCE AGREEMENT 

, Parties: answerthink inc , the hackett group  , lawson software company
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Exhibit 10.1

 

**** Certain information in this agreement has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.****

 

L AWSON S OFTWARE & T HE H ACKETT G ROUP

A DVISORY A LLIANCE A GREEMENT

5.9.05

 

The Hackett Group & Lawson Software company confidential and for internal use only. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this document in any form without prior consent is prohibited.


Statement of Confidentiality and Liability

 

This Advisory Alliance Agreement contains trade secrets and information that is company sensitive, proprietary, and confidential, the disclosure of which would provide a competitive advantage to others. As a result, this Advisory Alliance Agreement shall not be disclosed, used or duplicated, in whole or in part, for any purpose other than to evaluate the Advisory Alliance Agreement jointly created by Hackett, Inc. and Lawson Software. This Advisory Alliance Agreement is subject to the following terms and conditions listed in Appendix B of this document

 

This Advisory Alliance Agreement may not be reproduced or disclosed to any third party without the express written consent of Hackett and Lawson Software. This restriction does not limit the rights of the recipient to use information contained in the herein if it is rightfully obtained from another source without restriction.

 

Copyright © 2003 Hackett, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this document in any form without prior consent is prohibited

 

2


T ABLE OF C ONTENTS

 

Copyright © 2003 Hackett, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this document in any form without prior consent is prohibited

 

3


1.0 B ACKGROUND OF L AWSON -H ACKETT A LLIANCE

 

Lawson has had a long-standing partnership with Answerthink for over five years. As such—Hackett—a wholly owned subsidiary purchased by Answerthink in 1997, has become increasingly a more substantial competitive differentiator as a maturing ERP market has faced recent challenges.

 

This contract identifies joint programs in which Lawson and Answerthink plan to engage in over a three-year period, whereby clients are provided with a unique offering that brings together Hackett’s World Class Best Practices and the Lawson software offering.

 

2.0 D EFINITIONS

 

2.1 Exclusivity

 

During the term of the Agreement, Hackett will not enter into an agreement, or permit its business partners to enter into an agreement, with Oracle, SAP, ssa Global, GEAC, or Microsoft (i) to integrate or interface its World Class Progress Report with or into such software provider’s software application, (ii) to distribute the integrated product to licensees of such software providers in order to provide licensees or prospects of such software providers access to the World Class Progress Report, and (iii) package the additional deliverables listed in sections 5.1 and 5.2 with such software providers in a programmatic manner (i.e. Hackett’s World Class Passport program)

 

2.2 Lawson clients

 

Client means any business entity in the Territory that has directly or indirectly licensed Lawson’s or its third parties’ products from Lawson.

 

2.3 Lawson prospects

 

Prospect means any business entity within the Territory that is interested in directly or indirectly licensing Lawson’s or its third parties’ products from Lawson.

 

2.4 Territory

 

Global

 

2.5 Hackett Best Practices

 

Detailed information on established and emerging ways of improving performance in all areas of the business as measured and defined by Hackett.

 

2.6 Hackett IP

 

See definition in Section 15 of Appendix B attached hereto.

 

Copyright © 2003 Hackett, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this document in any form without prior consent is prohibited

 

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3.0 T ERMS

 

3.1 General Terms - Attached as Appendix B to this Agreement

 

3.2 Term and Termination

 

3.21 Term

 

The Term of this Agreement shall commence on May 9, 2005 and shall continue in force for a period ending May 31, 2008, unless earlier terminated subject to the provisions in this Agreement.

 

3.22 Extension to Programs

 

At anytime during the Term, but at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the term of any of the programs under this Agreement, Lawson and Hackett shall meet to mutually determine whether to (i) extend the applicable program beyond the expiration date by amending the Agreement in writing, or (ii) permit the program to expire. Lawson will retain a right of first offer to continue the Hackett World Class Program at the end of Year 3 at a commercially reasonable rate.

 

3.23.1 Program Cancellation

 

During year 2 and 3 of this agreement, Lawson will have the option to cancel its participation in the Hackett programs described in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 below without penalty, provided written notice of cancellation is given to Hackett at least sixty (60) days prior to the an anniversary date of the Agreement. Cancellation under this Section does not cancel the Vendor intelligence Program described in Section 5.3.

 

3.24 Termination for Breach

 

Either Party may terminate this Agreement should the other Party or any of its Employees breach any substantial obligation under this Agreement and fail to cure the breach within thirty (30) days of receipt of a written demand for its cure.

 

3.25 Survival of Rights

 

Upon termination of this Agreement, all rights granted to Lawson clients under this Agreement shall survive.

 

4.0 A SSUMPTIONS & R ESPONSIBILITIES OF THE A DVISORY A LLIANCE

 

 

 

Lawson and Hackett will each identify an available executive sponsor for the Alliance for ongoing support and resolution of escalated issues not resolved at the Alliance-level

 

 

 

Lawson and Hackett will each staff the Alliance appropriately, with an identified Alliance manager and project team to assist in managing and executing the program listed in this Agreement.

 

 

 

A bi-weekly joint project plan will be created to track program objectives and deliverables

 

 

 

Lawson and Hackett will participate in a weekly Alliance call to ensure program objectives and deliverables are met

 

Copyright © 2003 Hackett, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this document in any form without prior consent is prohibited

 

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Lawson and Hackett will respond in a reasonable manner to each others requests for information, input and approvals as identified in any work plan

 

 

 

Hackett agrees to communicate with Lawson Alliance manager promptly after the public announcement of a new program or product offering that icontains any element of this program not currently offered by Hackett.

 

 

 

Any additional deliverables requested of Hackett by Lawson beyond those identified in the “program scope & timelines” and “program offering” sections referenced in 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 will require review by Hackett to determine the financial feasibility in providing the deliverables to Lawson

 

 

 

The text in all documents related to the Alliance will be in English and any payments will be made in US Dollars

 

5.0 H ACKETT W ORLD C LASS P ASSPORT PROGRAM D ETAIL

 

5.1. L AWSON E XECUTIVE A DVISORY C OUNCIL PILOT P ROGRAM ( CLIENT )

 

P ROGRAM O VERVIEW :

 

The Lawson Executive Advisory Council pilot program provides an opportunity to jump-start Lawson client and prospect participation in the “Hackett World Class Passport” program, offered by Hackett exclusively to Lawson and Lawson clients and prospects (see exclusivity definition in Section 2.1 above), and provides feedback to Lawson-Hackett on the program offering to optimize post-pilot “Hackett World Class Passport” program rollout. The sections below define the program scope, timelines, and offerings for the pilot program.

 

P ROGRAM S COPE & T IMELINES

 

 

 

Twenty-five Lawson clients and/or prospects will be selected to participate in the “Lawson Executive Advisory Council Pilot Program” (the “LEAC”) within thirty (30) days of contract signing.

 

 

 

Hackett and Lawson agree to work together to manage channel conflict with these clients. To the extent that the parties find that each is engaged with these clients regarding Hackett Advisory products, Hackett and Lawson agree to work to develop the best solution for the client that would be complimentary to the LEAC Program.

 

 

 

Lawson and Hackett will each be responsible for their own travel and other expenses related to the LEAC

 

 

 

Lawson will sell, market, identify and enroll the LEAC members with the support of Hackett which may include subject matter experts and program specialists over the telephone and via webcast presentations (restricted to clients utilizing Lawson software applications or prospects that are in the active sales process of licensing Lawson software applications) beginning at Lawson’s Annual User Conference (“CUE”) on May 9, 2005 through June 30, 2006. Within 10 days of signing this Agreement, Lawson and Hackett agree to develop a mutually agreeable and beneficial Go-to-Market business plan, including a detailed budget with relevant costs associated with each party, that will describe how the Lawson plans to sell, market, identify and enroll members in the LEAC with the support of Hackett. Joint activities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

 

 

 

Announcing the Alliance and the Hackett World Class Passport program at CUE, May 8-11, 2005

 

 

 

Releasing a press release referencing Hackett and Lawson-Hackett client quotes

 

 

 

Participating in relevant analyst briefings

 

Copyright © 2003 Hackett, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this document in any form without prior consent is prohibited

 

6


 

 

Announcing the program main stage at CUE to over 3,500 Lawson clients

 

 

 

Participating in three Best-Practices joint sessions with Lawson Professional Services

 

 

 

Providing press and analyst support, including quotes supporting program

 

 

 

The parties agree to develop joint Lawson-Hackett collateral explaining HWCP and benefits to clients and prospects Hackett will provide content and design input. Lawson to pay for production costs.

 

 

 

Creating a joint Lawson-Hackett pre-sales tool showing program benefits to clients or prospects which may include a powerpoint presentation or webcast, or both.

 

 

 

Producing a mutually agreed upon Lawson-Hackett contract that can be utilized by Lawson to enroll clients in the LEAC

 

 

 

Participating in a joint Lawson–Hackett Webcast to announce the LEAC to identified program targets

 

 

 

Providing two 1-day training sessions for Lawson employees on Hackett methodology, sales delivery and program detail to be delivered by Hackett during the first 30-days of the LEAC

 

 

 

Conducting joint Lawson-Hackett sales meetings as jointly deemed necessary to explain program details and to close program targets

 

 

 

As needed, Hackett will also provide on site briefings for strategic-level accounts.

 

 

 

The program year for the LEAC participants will commence on May 9, 2005 and remain in effect through June 30, 2006. At the end of the LEAC one (1) year period, the client has the right to subscribe to the post-pilot “Hackett World Class Passport” program (described below in 5.2) for the then current program rate offered through Lawson or opt out of the program

 

P ROGRAM O FFERING

 

The following deliverables have been identified as the Hackett World Class Passport program offering to the Lawson Executive Advisory Council (LEAC) for a 1-year period. It is understood and agreed by Hackett that all deliverables prepared for Lawson or Lawson clients and prospects must be approved in advance and in writing by Lawson. Deliverables includes:

 

 

World-Class Progress Report (WCPR)

 

 

 

Defined as a quarterly progress benchmark tool covering three areas limited to HR, Finance and Procurement, thus allowing Lawson clients and/or prospects to enter key data points to gain insight as to how they measure against a relevant peer group including, but not limited to, World Class performers and median performers

 

 

 

Accessible through the Lawson portal via a URL link to a hosted site maintained and supported by Hackett

 

 

 

The site provides LEAC users with a secure environment to enter confidential data

 

 

 

Upon client signing the LEAC agreement with Lawson and Lawson’s notice to Hackett, Hackett will provide a user ID and password for the WCPR to the client

 

 

 

The site provides LEAC users with a relevant and personalized delivery of content

 

 

Participation in One-Day On-Site Best-Practices Strategic Advisory Session and/or Performance Gap Assessment

 

 

 

Hackett to provide LEAC clients with four one-day (6 hour) group sessions to be held at a mutually agreeable location by Lawson and Hackett. The one-day session is described as:

 

 

 

Presentation of Best Practice themes and comparisons of World Class versus average organizations

 

Copyright © 2003 Hackett, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this document in any form without prior consent is prohibited

 

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Workshop to discuss best practices strategies identified in the Best Practice repository.

 

 

 

Hackett-and Lawson may choose to individually offer this one-day session described above to strategic clients

 

 

 

The session agenda will be mutually agreed-upon by Lawson and Hackett and will be based on what is described above in this Section 5.1. Additional content may be required by the Go-to-Market plan described above in this Section 5.1.

 

 

 

Hackett will lead the sessions, however, at least one representative from Hackett and one from Lawson Software is required to be in attendance

 

 

 

Hackett agrees to provide a knowledgeable resource on Hackett, and relevant best practices for each one-day session

 

 

Hackett to provide to Lawson five commercially available, Performance Gap Assessment Sessions for clients in the LEAC using either the World Class Progress Report or an existing Hackett Performance Gap Assessment tool, described as:

 

 

 

High-level gap assessment of a client organization, whereby the client completes a questionnaire based on approximately 24 metrics in the HR, Finance and Procurement areas and is compared to a relevant peer group to gain insight into best practices and how they rank against other organizations

 

 

 

Each client will be responsible for submitting requested data

 

 

 

Hackett will provide the comparison data output and report(s)

 

 

 

The session agenda will be mutually agreed-upon by Lawson and Hackett

 

 

 

Hackett will lead the sessions, however, at least one representative from Hackett and one Lawson Software representative is required to be in attendance

 

 

 

Hackett and Lawson will jointly provide the findings to the client

 

 

 

Hackett agrees to provide a knowledgeable resource on Hackett and relevant best practices for each gap assessment. This resource can be from our parent company, Answerthink’s Lawson practice

 

 

 

Where this Performance Gap Assessment effort leads to a sale of a Lawson software license, Lawson will recommend Answerthink, together with Lawson Professional Services, to the licensee as the preferred implementation partner.

 

 

Hackett Advisor Inquiry Access per quarter – 4 hours per quarter

 

 

 

Defined as LEAC access to advisors that can answer questions relating to best practices and provide a deeper understanding of Hackett-certified practices and performance metrics contained within the Hackett database. This offering also includes research time.

 

 

 

Hackett will provide a “LEAC” knowledgeable main point of contact to respond to LEAC inquiries

 

 

Two user IDs to the on-line Hackett Best-Practice Repository accessed via the World Class Progress Report.

 

 

 

Defined as online client access to a resource containing detailed information on established and emerging ways of improving performance across the organization. These best practices have been gathered from a variety of sources, and are validated through a combination of statistical analysis, onsite client observation and a broad range of secondary research.

 

 

 

Accessible through the Lawson portal via a URL link to a hosted site maintained and supported by Hackett

 

 

 

The site provides LEAC users with a secure environment

 

 

 

Upon client signing the LEAC agreement with Lawson and Lawson’s notice to Hackett, Hackett will provide a user ID and password for the Best–Practice Repository to the client

 

 

Two copies of the 2004 World-Class Executive Insights Book of Numbers Research per LEAC client.

 

Copyright © 2003 Hackett, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this document in any form without prior consent is prohibited

 

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Defined as an executive book describing correlating best practices adopted by leading organizations that have yielded organizations proven operational gains.

 

 

Quarterly Topical Webcasts

 

 

 

1-per calendar quarter

 

 

 

Topics, agenda and Webinar content to be identified and presented jointly by Hackett and Lawson, based on the LEAC needs

 

 

Quarterly Research Perspectives

 

 

 

Accessible through the Lawson portal via a URL link to a hosted site maintained and supported by Hackett

 

 

 

1 per calendar quarter

 

 

 

Topics, agenda and Webinar content to be identified and presented jointly by Hackett and Lawson, based on the Lawson Executive Advisory Council’s needs

 

 

Two tickets to the 2006 Hackett Best Practices Conference

 

5.2. P OST - PILOT H ACKETT W ORLD C LASS P ASSPORT P ROGRAM ( CLIENT )

 

P ROGRAM O VERVIEW :

 

 

In exchange for the program fees noted in Appendix A, Hackett will deliver the “Hackett World Class Passport” program (“HWCP”) offering to Lawson clients and prospects. This offering is provided by Hackett exclusively to Lawson and their clients and prospects (see exclusivity definition Section 2.1 above). The sections below define the program scope, timelines and, offerings for the post pilot HWCP, commencing with the first client participating in the HWCP (first client after client 25 in the LEAC).

 

P ROGRAM S COPE & T IMELINES

 

 

 

There are no limits to the number of paid Lawson clients and prospects that participate in the HWCP as defined in section 5.2.

 

 

 

Lawson and Hackett will each be responsible for their own travel and other expenses related to the HWCP.

 

 

 

Client access to HWCP will commence on a target date of July 1, 2005 and the client’s enrollment in HWCP will renew annually for the client, on the anniversary date of the contract entered into between the client and Lawson, at the then current HWCP rate offered through Lawson

 

 

 

Lawson reserves the right to adjust the HWCP commencement date forward, as deemed necessary

 

 

 

Hackett and Lawson agree to work together to avoid sales channel conflict. Hackett will give Lawson credit toward sales minimums as stated in Appendix A in instances where an “advisory” service with program features that overlap those described herein is sold to an HWCP client. Where Lawson and Hackett are simultaneously pursuing the sale of the HWCP and other Hackett non-HWCP products at the same client, the parties agree to work together to best position each others’ pursuit and not diminish the value of the HWCP to the potential client. Credit will be given at the rate per unit for the HWCP stated in the Program Fees section below whenever the Hackett product includes program aspects incremental to the HWCP program.

 

 

 

Within 30 days of signing this Agreement, Lawson and Hackett will develop a mutually agreeable and beneficial Go-to-Market business plan for the HWCP, including a detailed budget for costs associated with each party that will describe how Lawson plans to promote, identify and enroll members in the HWCP with the support of Hackett.

 

Copyright © 2003 Hackett, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this document in any form without prior consent is prohibited

 

9


 

 

The parties agree to develop joint Lawson-Hackett collateral explaining HWCP and benefits to clients and prospects Hackett will provide content and design input. Lawson to pay for production costs.

 

 

 

The parties agree to create a joint Lawson-Hackett pre-sales tool showing program benefits to clients or prospects which may include a powerpoint presentation or webcast, or both. .

 

 

 

The parties agree to develop a mutually agreed upon Lawson-Hackett contract for the HWCP that can be utilized by Lawson to enroll clients in the program

 

 

 

The parties agree to jointly participate in Lawson and Hackett Webcasts and seminars to announce HWCP to identified program targets and cover other relevant topics periodically throughout program commitment

 

 

 

The parties agree to develop topical whitepapers

 

 

 

Topics to be mutually agreed upon by Lawson and Hackett

 

 

 

The parties agree to provide press and analyst support, including quotes from Hackett in support of HWCP

 

 

 

The parties agree to participate in quarterly account sales planning sessions between Lawson and Hackett to identify program targets throughout program commitment

 

 

 

The parties agree to participate in joint Lawson-Hackett sales meetings to explain program details and close program targets

 

 

 

Lawson and Hackett will each be responsible for their own travel and other expenses related to the LEAC unless paid for by the applicable client/prospect

 

 

 

Hackett will conduct training events for Lawson employees on Hackett methodology, sales delivery and program detail

 

 

 

Lawson and Hackett will each be responsible for their own travel and other expenses related to the LEAC unless paid for by the applicable client/prospect

 

 

 

The parties agree to implementing compensation plans to incent their respective sales forces (Hackett Alliance representatives and Lawson sales representatives) to promote the joint offering

 

 

 

Compensation plans to be developed, approved and administered by Hackett to Hackett employees and by Lawson to Lawson employees

 

P ROGRAM O FFERING

 

The following section lists the potential offerings Hackett and Lawson will provide to Lawson clients and prospects during the post-pilot Hackett World Class Passport program rollout (HWCP) for client twenty-six and beyond. The parties agree to work in good faith to develop the optimal set of program offerings. The final agreed upon program features and parameters may or may not include features in addition to those noted below, except that the program will include the World Class Progress Report and the Hackett Advisory Inquiry Access. It is understood and agreed by Hackett that all offerings prepared for Lawson or Lawson clients and prospects must be approved in advance by Lawson. Deliverables include:

 

 

World-Class Progress Report (WCPR)

 

 

 

“Lawsonized” World-Class Progress Report (WCPR) is defined as a quarterly progress benchmark tool covering three or more areas such as, but not limited to, HR, Finance and Procurement, thus allowing Lawson clients and/or prospects to enter key data points to gain insight as to how they measure against a relevant peer group including, but not limited to, World Class performers, median performers and other Lawson clients

 

 

 

WCPR is accessible through the Lawson portal via a URL link to a hosted site maintained and supported by Hackett

 

 

 

The site provides users with a secure environment to enter confidential data

 

Copyright © 2003 Hackett, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this document in any form without prior consent is prohibited

 

10


 

 

Upon client signing the HWCP agreement with Lawson and Lawson’s notice to Hackett, Hackett will provide a user ID and password for the HWCP to the client

 

 

 

The site provides users with a relevant and personalized delivery of content

 

 

Hackett Advisor Inquiry Access – four hours per quarter

 

 

 

Defined as access to advisors that can answer questions relating to best practices and provide a deeper understanding of Hackett-certified practices and performance metrics contained within the Hackett database. This offering includes research time.

 

 

 

Hackett will provide a “Lawson” program knowledgeable resource to respond to HWCP inquiries

 

 

Two user IDs to the on-line Hackett Best-Practice Repository

 

 

 

Defined as online client access to a resource containing detailed information on hundreds of established and emerging ways of improving performance in all areas of an organization. These best practices have been gathered from a variety of sources, and are validated through a combination of statistical analysis, onsite client observation and a broad range of secondary research.

 

 

 

Accessible through the Lawson portal via a URL link to a hosted site maintained and supported by Hackett

 

 

 

The site provides HWCP users with a secure environment

 

 

 

Upon client signing the HWCP agreement with Lawson and Lawson’s notice to Hackett, Hackett will provide a user ID and password for the Best–Practice Repository to the client

 

 

Topical Research Abstracts based on the Book of Numbers

 

 

Access to Quarterly Topical Webcasts

 

 

 

1-per calendar quarter

 

 

 

Topics, agenda and Webinar content to be identified and presented jointly by Hackett and Lawson, based on HWCP client needs

 

 

Access to Quarterly Research Perspectives

 

 

 

Accessible through the Lawson portal via a URL link to a hosted site maintained and supported by Hackett

 

 

 

1 per calendar quarter

 

 

 

Topics and content to be identified by Hackett and Lawson, based on HWCP client needs

 

 

Two tickets to the 2006 Hackett Best Practices Conference

 

HWCP INCREMENTAL SERVICE OFFERINGS

 

 

 

As part of the Go-to-Market, Lawson and Hackett agree to develop complimentary and incremental services offerings to the HWCP including, but not limited to, the following (reference Vendor Intelligence Program, 5.3.x) with pricing and terms to be agreed upon:

 

 

 

One-Day Onsite Best Practices Advisory session (reference section 5.1)

 

 

 

1-2 Week Extended Gap Assessment

 

 

 

Defined as a “Lawsonized” high-level gap assessment of a client organization, whereby the client completes a questionnaire based on approximately 40+ metrics in key areas such as, but not limited to, HR, Finance and Procurement, and is compared to a relevant peer group to gain insight into industry best practices and how they rank against other organizations

 

 

 

Client will be responsible for gathering data on the questionnaire

 

 

 

Hackett will provide the comparison data output and report(s)

 

 

 

The session agenda will be mutually agreed upon by Lawson and Hackett

 

 

 

Hackett will lead the sessions, however, at least one representative from Hackett and one from Lawson Software is required to be in attendance

 

Copyright © 2003 Hackett, Inc. All rights reserved. Re


 
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