Accenture and HP Extend Technology and Communication Services to Keep World Economic Forum Participants Better Connected

Expanded Wireless LAN Installation Enhances Mobile Access to Information

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2003 Accenture and HP have teamed up again to support the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2003 with industry-leading technology solutions that will give the world’s leaders in business, government, religion, academia, media and NGOs more information and more interactivity than ever before.

Throughout the six-day meeting, participants will have access to powerful communication tools through an advanced information and communication technology system and network installed in the Congress Centre and selected hotels. Three complementary components address all information and communication needs: the interactive, static Kiosks are widely distributed in strategic locations; the central Bulletin Boards provide up-to-the-minute news at a glance; and the Davos Companions (HP iPAQ Pocket PCs) cater for people on the move (see Editor’s note).

The enhanced wireless capabilities added this year will give the 2,000 Annual Meeting participants far more flexibility. The ‘hot spots’ of wireless connectivity that have been strategically situated in high-traffic areas in the Congress Centre and 14 selected hotels will, for the first time, enable participants to receive e-mails and access the latest meeting information when outside the Congress Centre.

“The Annual Meeting 2003, with its theme of ‘Building Trust’, highlights the need for all leaders to return to fundamental values and help restore faith and credibility in the market-driven system,” said André Schneider, Director of Resources and Knowledge Management at the World Economic Forum. “In this context, we needed the newest technology to meet the increasing demands of our 2,000 participants to extend the interconnectivity outside the Congress Centre, and it was natural for us to look to our long-standing partners Accenture and HP to help us meet this year’s growing technology requirements”.

“The innovative applications we design and deliver for the Annual Meeting help world leaders make the most of their time at Davos,“ said Elizabeth Padmore, Director of Policy & Corporate Affairs at Accenture. “New for 2003 is the wireless solution and automatic information updating which keep participants in constant touch around the village. It illustrates how Accenture creates value by harnessing the most appropriate technology to meet specific needs – in this case, the need to communicate and connect at the Meeting.”

The easy-to-use Kiosks enable participants to check their messages and schedules as they move from session to session. In addition, returning this year are the plasma-screen Bulletin Boards which will be strategically placed in the Congress Centre. They will provide information on the latest activities at the Meeting, showing up-to-date session availability as well as images and comments from participants.

Robust infrastructure enhances connectivity
The Davos Companions are HP iPAQ h5450 Pocket PCs equipped with specially developed information and communication applications provided by Accenture to meet the unique needs of participants. The Annual Meeting’s wireless network relies on HP ProLiant servers and approximately 60 HP wireless access points, with integration, implementation and ongoing technology support provided by Accenture and HP.

Kiosk and Davos Companion features include e-mail, program updates and registration, and general news channels. Throughout each day of the Meeting, personal information is updated and sent automatically to each participant’s Davos Companion. With the simple touch of a stylus on the screen, participants can send and receive e-mail messages and personalize contact lists, preferred sessions and site information. Information services can also be accessed offline by using data stored in the Davos Companion’s internal memory.

“The wireless capabilities showcased this year will make the Davos Companion more vital than ever for participants as they experience a new level of flexibility in data access and interactivity," said Kasper Rorsted, Managing Director, HP EMEA. "The decision made by the World Economic Forum three years ago to wirelessly enable its information infrastructure reflects how, even in a remote place like Davos, mobile technologies are becoming an integral part of the way we communicate today."

Editor’s note:
The World Economic Forum information and communication system is the result of a long-standing partnership between Accenture and HP that draws on the complementary skills of the two organizations. Accenture is responsible for the development of the complete software solution and systems integration across the three information and communication technology channels. HP is responsible for providing infrastructure technology, access devices, support, services and the network connectivity.

About Accenture
Accenture is the world’s leading management consulting and technology services company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them realize their visions and create tangible value. With deep industry expertise, broad global resources and proven experience in consulting and outsourcing, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills, alliances and technologies. With more than 75,000 people in 47 countries, the company generated net revenues of $11.6 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

About HP
HP is a leading global provider of products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and businesses. The company’s offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. HP completed its merger transaction involving Compaq Computer Corp. on May 3, 2002. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.

About the World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is an international organization committed to improving the state of the world. The Forum provides a collaborative framework for the world’s leaders to address global issues, engaging particularly its corporate members in global citizenship.

Incorporated as a foundation, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. The Forum has NGO consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. (www.weforum.org)

###

Darienne L. Dennis

+44 (0) 776-433-9792
+1(917) 452 7760

darienne.l.dennis@accenture.com

Ingrid Janson

+41 79 2482131

Ingrid.janson@hp.com