Franklin Covey to Support Microsoft Outlook 2000 with Revolutionary Time and Life Management Principles
SALT LAKE CITY — June 8, 1999 — Franklin Covey (NYSE: FC), a premier leadership, effectiveness, and time and life management firm, today announced the availability of Franklin Planner(TM) for Microsoft(R) Outlook(TM), a new individual and enterprise solution that extends the popular Microsoft Outlook environment to include the principles from Franklin Covey's revolutionary time and life management workshop, What Matters Most(TM). Adding to Microsoft Outlook 98 and 2000, the software will include built-in synchronization to the Microsoft Windows(R) CE(TM) platform for palm-sized PC's and 3Com's (Nasdaq: COMS) Palm Computing(R) platform.
Using innovative new technology, Franklin Planner for Microsoft Outlook responds to the need for a complete system that enables people to manage every aspect of their lives. Its world-renowned Franklin Planner methodology, used by 17.5 million people, supports Microsoft Outlook. Franklin Covey continues to serve the changing needs of its current and future customers by offering unique electronic solutions to increase productivity and effectiveness, minimize crises, as well as consolidate and communicate critical information.
"Adding the Franklin Planner to Microsoft Outlook is a transformational step for users," said Doug Smith, vice president of Electronic Solutions at Franklin Covey. "Historically, clients have been faced with the challenge of choosing between their Franklin Planner and the corporate scheduling standard. With Franklin Planner for Microsoft Outlook we have successfully bridged that gap, leaving more time for individuals and organizations to concentrate on increasing productivity and effectiveness, ultimately impacting the bottom line. "
"Microsoft Office 2000 also enables organizations to achieve greater results with less effort," said John Duncan, product manager, Microsoft Office. "Franklin Covey's support for Office 2000 and Windows CE enables Franklin Planner users to leverage the familiar power and productivity of Office 2000 on all Windows environments, including the palm-size PC platform."
Five custom windows transform Outlook Today(TM) into What Matters Most(R) Today allowing users to create a snapshot of daily calendar items, values, roles, mission statement, long-range goals, a Daily Record of Events (Outlook's Journal), and a Weekly Compass(R). Franklin Planner for Microsoft Outlook also offers a Prioritized Daily Task List, a separate window, that synchronizes with Outlook's TaskPad enabling users to assign value, priority, and Franklin Planner action codes to a task.
The software includes a series of multimedia presentations and wizards that highlight key points from the What Matters Most workshop. Using methodology from the workshop, managers can learn to track the progress of personal, workgroup, and organizational goals by using the long-range goal wizard to create an action plan. When broken down into action items, users can assign priority and delegate tasks to individuals via Outlook's powerful group scheduling feature.
As soon as action items are assigned a start date, they automatically link to the Prioritized Daily Task List. With the ease of Outlook's networking capability, co-workers, work group associates, and even family members can share essential information with one another.
Windows palm-sized PC CE users will find Franklin Planner features, including the Prioritized Daily Task List, and the ability to instantly synchronize their essential information with Franklin Planner for Microsoft Outlook. Additionally, like Franklin Planner Software for Windows (formerly ASCEND), Franklin Planner for Microsoft Outlook will seamlessly synchronize with the family of Palm Computing organizers. Palm Computing organizer users will find several new What Matters Most applications including the Daily Record of Events, long-range goals, and mission statements.
"Technology is automating day to day tasks, requiring less time on paperwork and leaving more time for what matters most," said Hyrum Smith, vice chairman of Franklin Covey and creator of the Franklin Planner.
Pricing and Availability
Franklin Planner for Microsoft Outlook will ship in early July at the estimated street price of $99.95. It will be available through major computer retailers, and Franklin Covey channels including the online store (www.franklincovey.com), retail stores, direct sales team, and catalogs. Site licensing and quantity pricing is also available.
Franklin Planner Software System Requirements
— Microsoft Outlook 98 or newer
— Processor: 486/66 or higher
About Franklin Covey
Franklin Covey, the world's leading provider of leadership and time management services, offers complete solutions to help individuals and organizations use proven principles to achieve personal and organizational leadership effectiveness, trust, change management, strategic alignment, productivity and customer solutions. Franklin Covey trains approximately 750,000 people annually. Organizational clients include 80 of the Fortune 100, more than three-quarters of the Fortune 500, thousands of smaller and mid-sized organizations, government entities and communities, and over 3,000 schools and universities with statewide initiatives in 27 states.
Organizations have access to its curriculum through 19,000 licensed client facilitators and public workshops are offered in over 500 cities worldwide. More than 17.5 million people use its planners, agendas, electronic solutions, and training products and it has more than 15 million books in print, (1.5 million being sold each year) including Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. His new book, Living the 7 Habits: Stories of Courage and Inspiration, will be available in stores June 15, 1999. Over 4,000 Franklin Covey employees and associates in 44 offices in 33 countries provide services and products in 32 languages. In addition to an e-retail site, www.franklincovey.com, there are 125 Franklin Covey retail stores in the United States which provide individuals, families and organizations tools for highly effective living.
ASCEND is a U.S. registered trademark and What Matters Most and The Weekly Compass are registered trademarks, Franklin Planner is a trademark of Franklin Covey Co. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks and Outlook is a trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Palm Computing is a registered trademark of Palm Computing, Inc., 3Com Corporation, or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
SOURCE Franklin Covey
CONTACT:
Nicol Andrews, 801-817-6205, [email protected], or Laura Ellertson, 801-496-4247, [email protected], both of Franklin Covey; or Ara Jane Olufson of Imagio Public Relations, 206-625-0252, [email protected]