BURLINGTON, MA, September 27, 2001—Forest Renewal British Columbia (FRBC) is an investment agency charged with supporting a full range of forest renewal activities. With over $2.2 billion invested in forestry renewal and economic growth since 1994, FRBC decided to implement a business intelligence solution from Cognos^® to track, report on, analyze, and measure the company's investment strategy and productivity. Cognos (NASDAQ:COGN; TSE:CSN) is the leading provider of business intelligence (BI) solutions.

Two years ago, FRBC was dealing with all of the classic reporting pains. The company had data stored in disparate systems across the organization and was creating reports with hundreds of Excel spreadsheets, which held very limited analytical capabilities. FRBC also outsourced some of their reporting requirements, resulting in extremely costly and not very timely reports. After looking at several other BI vendors, FRBC selected the Cognos solution, which was implemented by Cognos partner, Sierra Systems (TSE:SSG).

Cognos has equipped FRBC with a total business intelligence solution. For example, FRBC can now see if suppliers are being paid within the designated period, if budgets are beings adhered to, or whether forest companies are meeting their targets for achieving sustainable forest management objectives. By supplying powerful reporting capabilities and detailed analysis of the operational efficiencies of the business, FRBC estimates Cognos will reduce the time preparing reports by 50 per cent, which will lower costs significantly. These savings are welcomed at time when the BC Government is looking for more efficient ways to deliver its programs and services.

"We needed powerful analytical capabilities so we could clearly see what companies we were investing in and if that money was being used most effectively. This analysis will help us decide how to distribute funds," said Drew Ritchie, chief information officer, FRBC. "Cognos has delivered a solution that has met our main objective of performance measurement. Because we are provincially funded we have to ensure accountability and effectiveness of our investments. Cognos delivers this information in a format that can be shared throughout the organization."

"Beginning with data drawn from the source systems right up to measuring financial and operational key performance indicators, Cognos enables FRBC to monitor the performance of the entire business," said Alan Rottenberg, senior vice president, e-Business Applications Business Unit, Cognos. "Cognos business intelligence solutions infuse effectiveness and efficiency into the company processes and allow businesses to make better and more educated decisions."

About FRBC:
Forest Renewal BC is a Crown corporation, established in 1994 and owned by the people of British Columbia. As an investment agency, we take some of the wealth generated by public forests and reinvest it back into the land and its people. Working with our partners across B.C., our investments help to build a more diversified, sustainable forest economy that supports local communities, workers and their families

About Sierra Systems:
Sierra Systems Group Inc. (TSE:SSG) is a leading source for solutions to North America's top business and technology initiatives. Sierra Systems' core excellence in systems integration and management consulting, built over 35 years, gives clients a solid foundation to advance their successful eWorld ventures. Sierra Systems' thought leadership and eWorkplace initiatives are recognized across traditional and emerging industries including federal and local government, financial services and insurance, health, justice, utilities, and telecommunications. Practical, reliable and innovative, Sierra Systems knows how to identify and deliver high-impact results for clients at any level. Visit Sierra Systems' Web site at http://www.SierraSystems.com.