BURLINGTON, Massachusetts, September 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd. (NasdaqGS: CKSW), the leading provider of workforce management and service optimization solutions, today announced the general availability of its latest version of its ServiceOptimization Suite featuring a new infrastructure that provides higher scalability and enables companies to rapidly modify and create services to stay ahead of the competition.

ClickSoftware ServiceOptimization Suite 8.0 automates field service forecasting, planning, scheduling, dispatch and service business analytics. ServiceOptimization Suite 8.0's advanced .NET and new Web services-based compliant Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) adds a robust, agile foundation to support the suite's powerful application functionality. These new technological underpinnings enable businesses to:

    - optimize scheduling and planning through real-time
      monitoring of service processes;
    - easily change processes and integrate new applications into
      their service infrastructures;
    - reduce costs and improve service quality through deeper
      visibility into processes; and
    - implement new services ahead of competitors.

"ClickSoftware's enhancements in Version 8.0 of its ServiceOptimization Suite are reflective of the company's continued investment in Research & Development and in its flexibility to quickly address customer needs, key covenants that make the firm a leader in Market Readiness," states Sumair Dutta, Senior Research Analyst at the Aberdeen Group. "The completed transition to a service oriented architecture and improved interfacing with available GIS platforms will further enhance integration and implementation timelines, areas that are vital to survey respondents in the selection of service management solutions."

Version 8.0 also helps customers integrate functionality into their ClickSoftware infrastructures with a Web Services Definition Language (WSDL) that supports standard and custom Web services, and Standard Objects Access Protocol (SOAP) messaging support.

Among its many advantages, ServiceOptimization Suite 8.0's SOA, .NET and Web services infrastructure supports fast, easy integration with advanced geographical information systems (GIS) from a variety of market vendors including ClickSoftware partners MapInfo and PTV. ClickSoftware's enhanced GIS integration platform offers customers the low-cost option of using their existing mapping, routing and geocoding applications with the ServiceOptimization application.

Version 8.0 integrates smoothly with GIS and other applications through a Web services messaging infrastructure and .NET support that provides:

    - simpler integration with all systems using the Windows
      Communication Foundation; and
    - faster custom application development using existing Web services
      instead of custom coding.

"Beyond the significant long term savings for us and our clients in transitioning our software to the state of the art SOA architecture, Version 8.0 enables us to offer many improvements around contractor management, shift scheduling, field service mobility, customer contact management, location aspects both above and below ground, virtualization and Software as a Service (SaaS) implementations," said Dr. Moshe BenBassat, Chairman and CEO of ClickSoftware. "The SOA architecture will also contribute in cost savings as we integrate products from our acquisitions and partners. This remarkable accomplishment by our product development team sets the bar higher and distances ClickSoftware further from potential competitors," BenBassat added.

A datasheet of Version 8.0 is available for download at: http://www.clicksoftware.com/pdf/ServiceOptimization_V8_Final.pdf

About ClickSoftware

ClickSoftware is the leading provider of workforce management and service optimization solutions that create business value for service operations through higher levels of productivity, customer satisfaction and cost effectiveness. Combining educational, implementation and support services with best practices and its industry-leading solutions, ClickSoftware drives service decision making across all levels of the organization. From proactive customer demand forecasting and capacity planning to real-time decision making, incorporating scheduling, mobility and location-based services, ClickSoftware helps service organizations get the most out of their resources. With over 130 customers across a variety of industries and geographies, and strong partnerships with leading platform and system integration partners - ClickSoftware is uniquely positioned to deliver superb business performance to any organization. The company is headquartered in Burlington, Mass. and Israel, with offices in Europe, and Asia Pacific. For more information about ClickSoftware, please call +1(781)272-5903 or +1(888)438-3308, or visit http://www.clicksoftware.com.

    Contacts:
    Joanna Giannotti
    ClickSoftware, Inc.
    +1-781-272-5903 x2235
    joanna.giannotti@clicksoftware.com

SOURCE ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd