MetricStream Announces Next Version of Fast and Light Briefcase Technology for Road Warriors To Manage Key Compliance and Quality Needs

Updated Briefcase provides enhanced business productivity for offline users with zero configurability, enhanced encryption and seamless online-offline synch

September 19, 2008 | Palo Alto, California: MetricStream Inc., the market leader in enterprise-wide Governance, Risk, Compliance (GRC) and Quality Management solutions, today announced the next version of its Fast and Light Briefcase Technology geared towards offline accessibility by users. As companies scale up their technology investments related to GRC initiatives, their most important challenge is to ensure continuous organizational monitoring while providing uninterrupted, instantaneous access to all users. In order to mitigate this key challenge, companies need to ensure that they have the right technology in place.

MetricStream’s patented Enterprise Compliance Platform (ECP) provides a unique Offline Briefcase capability that allows users to perform their tasks at remote field sites/plants/locations without access to the corporate network. Key functionalities such as conducting audits and reviewing CAPA’s can be made available on notebook computers and handheld devices, even when they are offline and cannot access the network. The data can be recorded in exactly the same manner as when the application is online and synchronized with the central repository when the network is accessible. Before adopting the Briefcase, users recorded offsite activity using Word or Excel and then manually uploaded the information into the online system. Using the Briefcase, users can synch up the offline information seamlessly which improves productivity, saves time and eliminates errors resulting from data re-entry.

Version 5.1 of the briefcase technology offers some key upgrades that further enhance the usability of the solution.

• The briefcase is now adaptable to run on a small footprint device such as a notebook or laptop with memory as low as 512 MB
• Since users within an enterprise wide system need to handle huge volumes of data, it is important for the briefcase to provide that capability to its users. Interactive data entry documents that span several hundred pages can now be accessed by users through the briefcase. The pages load almost instantaneously, regardless of the size of the offline work activity.
• The security and encryption features added to the briefcase are more comprehensive and prevent theft of data in case the notebook or laptop is lost.
• Since the briefcase is simple to download and install on an individual computer or device, there is zero configurability for the average user allowing for rapid rollout across the enterprise. The briefcase installation is done at the server level enabling client use and automatic patching on each individual machine.
• The advanced applicability of the new briefcase has been demonstrated at several enterprise roll-outs including a large airline and a food retailer. At both customers, the Briefcase helps auditors conduct field audits across multiple locations very effectively. Since the forms and fields in the Briefcase mirror those available in the online version, the auditors can execute the audit plan very productively even in the field. Once the field audit is completed, the auditor can synch with the online system wherever web access is available.

“It is important for business users to have seamless online and offline access to the system in order to enable them to be productive in any situation,” said Vidya Phalke, Vice President of Products and Engineering at MetricStream. “The new version of the MetricStream Offline Briefcase has been built with the road warrior in mind. While at remote locations and site visits where network access is poor or non-existent, the advanced functionality of the briefcase coupled with enhanced encryption and cross-industry applicability make it a must-have for all companies seeking to optimize their operational productivity and transparency.”

About MetricStream
MetricStream is a market leader in Enterprise-wide Governance, Risk, Compliance (GRC) and Quality Solutions for global corporations. MetricStream solutions are used by leading corporations such as Pfizer, Philips, NASDAQ, SanDisk, BP, Entergy, Subway, Fairchild Semiconductor, Hitachi and TaylorMade-Adidas Golf in diverse industries such as Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Automotive, Food, High Tech Manufacturing, Energy and Financial Services to manage their quality processes, regulatory and industry-mandated compliance and corporate governance initiatives, as well as by over a million compliance professionals worldwide via the ComplianceOnline.com portal. MetricStream is headquartered in Palo Alto, California and can be reached at www.metricstream.com.

Media contact:
pr@metricstream.com