Irish Continental Group plc, (ICG) the diversified transport group, has signed a contract with Fusion Business Solutions for the supply of business process software with associated implementation and consultancy services. Following an organisation-wide computer system review, ICG made the decision to work with Fusion to implement the world-leading SAP business application solution for the Group's financial systems including Year 2000 and Euro compliance.

ICG, whose principal activities include cruise ferries, container and terminal shipping services, recently announced preliminary financial results for y/e 31st October 1998 showing pre-tax profits up 21% to Euro 22.5m on turnover up 21% to Euro 213m. Commenting on the contract with Fusion, Mr. Tom Corcoran, Group Financial Controller of ICG, said, "We wanted an integrated business solution that would provide us with a platform to support the continued growth and development of the Group. We believe we have found this in the SAP solution put forward by Fusion and we were impressed with the cost-effective, fast-track methodologies they use."

Mr. Joe Flynn, SAP Business Manager, Fusion Business Solutions, said, "This demonstrates once again SAP's competitive advantage for leading organisations that require cost-effective business solutions implemented in a fixed time frame utilising the AcceleratedSAP methodology".