CONCORDIA AND McGILL UNIVERSITIES PURCHASE INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR NEW MILLENNIUM

March 12, 1998 - Montreal's two English-language universities, Concordia and McGill, have signed an agreement with Philadelphia-based Systems and Computer Technology Corp. (SCT) to purchase new information systems. The total cost of the agreement is about $14 million, covering an implementation period of five years.

The joint purchase of a financial information system will streamline and coordinate financial operations at the two universities. Concordia's share of the purchase amounts to about $3 million, with an option to buy a student information system from SCT at a preferred rate in the future. McGill has also purchased a student information system from SCT.

"This innovative cooperative venture has advantages for both institutions," commented Concordia Rector Frederick Lowy. "The new financial system gives us the financial tools for the future. Our two institutions will continue to work together on projects of mutual benefit while pursuing our unique institutional goals and academic missions."

The new financial system is Year 2000 compliant and solves a potential technological problem. The agreement has other benefits for both institutions: the combined buying power of the two universities assured that an advantageous price was negotiated for both institutions; the cost of training and implementation was reduced; and, with the establishment of a common financial information platform, the road is clear for future cooperative undertakings.

"A long period of consultation went into this joint venture," commented Concordia Chief Financial Officer Larry English. "We wanted to be sure that we are making the best possible purchase and the most effective use of all our resources - human and otherwise. The new system will empower the end-user and assure that the appropriate information is available to decision-makers. This will result in better central control, planning, monitoring and analysis of resource use. It will also facilitate future integration of financial information through the World Wide Web."

Concordia and McGill, in conjunction with SCT, will set up project teams locally so that the two universities can adapt to each other and with the new technology. Concordia expects that Phase One of implementation should be complete by January 1999 so that the financial information system can handle the general ledger, purchasing, accounts payable, and grant management. Full deployment of the system throughout the university should be complete by January 2000.

"This is a precedent for other Canadian universities in terms of a planned, coordinated joint purchase and we are very proud of the work that we have done together, " said Joseph Capano, Director of the joint Concorda and McGill Purchasing Department, which was established last fall.

SCT is a well-known provider of client/server, enterprise software and information technology services. Their SCT Education System, a specialized division, provides software and support services to more than 1,100 colleges and universities in Canada, the United States and worldwide.

For more information, contact: Larry English, Chief Financial Officer, Concordia University at 848-4310 Joseph Capano, Director, Purchasing, Concordia and McGill Universities at 848-3657