Beam Global Leads Spirits Industry with Single Instance of SAP Achievement

Capgemini, one of the world’s foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, is helping Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., achieve a leadership position in the spirits industry through SAP Business Suite implementation. Beam Global is leading the spirits industry through its innovation and achievement of a single-instance of SAP across its assets in the U.S. and Europe, helping the company to deliver on its global growth strategy. A single-instance SAP Business Suite system integrates all enterprises software applications and business processes into a single database across the global regions. This delivers information consistency, provides a common view to users worldwide and reduces overall IT costs. As a result, Beam Global has achieved common, world-class processes in supply chain, finance and procurement across global geographies. The move delivers streamlined, efficient and effective day-to-day business operations that help to realize cost-savings over the long term. The SAP applications went live on August 1st 2007 following several months of planning in conjunction with a global team from Capgemini. Since then, Beam Global has successfully transitioned to the new system for orders, shipping, receivables and invoice payments. Beam Global Spirits & Wine anticipates a number of benefits associated with the implementation of a single instance of SAP applications including: Enhanced service to customers by improving the order-to-cash process Increased visibility into inventory to secure improved tracking and forecasting Increased effectiveness of spend reporting including advertising and promotions Improved and more efficient management of tracking and reporting of depletions and shipments with access to real-time information "Our investment in SAP is an illustration of Beam Global’s commitment to global growth,” said Keith McLeod, chief information officer, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. "When Beam Global Spirits & Wine purchased several spirits and wine brands from the former Allied Domecq two years ago, the company went from being primarily a U.S.-centric company to one with brands, assets and sales all over the world. The acquisition changed how we needed to do business and achieving a single instance of SAP became a solution we needed to optimize efficiency throughout the organization.” "SAP is excited to have Beam Global join our network of best-run companies. We believe that using SAP as a common global platform will allow Beam Global to maximize business benefits and expand their brands,” said Steve Winter, senior vice president and general manager, SAP Midwestern region. "A lack of common processes and incompatible systems between entities and locations creates inefficiencies that are not befitting of a global organization,” said McLeod. "Our investment in SAP provides a solution that brings together disparate practices and business processes under a single system. It forces a more disciplined approach to process which in turn results in more reliable information. With that comes greater efficiency and effectiveness in our day-to-day business operations.” Beam Global’s investment in SAP applications also helps the company to realize additional benefits for the future to accommodate growth as it expands its business. "Capgemini is delighted to have provided leading practices that optimize global operations from across our consulting, technology and outsourcing disciplines to add value to Beam Global’s bottom line,” said Liam Walsh, vice president of Capgemini in North America. "Our distributed delivery approach helps Beam Global realize improvements to service levels, IT flexibility and data capture.” About the Capgemini Group Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, enables its clients to transform and perform through technologies. Capgemini provides its clients with insights and capabilities that boost their freedom to achieve superior results through a unique way of working, which it calls the "Collaborative Business Experience.”Capgemini reported 2006 global revenues of EUR 7.7 billion (approximately US $10 billion) and employs approximately 82,000 people worldwide. More information is available at http://www.us.capgemini.com About SAP SAP is the world's leading provider of business software*. Today, more than 43,400 customers in more than 120 countries run SAP(R) applications -- from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small businesses and midsize companies to suite offerings for global organizations. Powered by the SAP NetWeaver(R) technology platform to drive innovation and enable business change, SAP software helps enterprises of all sizes around the world improve customer relationships, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across their supply chains and business operations. SAP solution portfolios support the unique business processes of more than 25 industries, including high tech, retail, financial services, healthcare and the public sector. With subsidiaries in more than 50 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP." (*) SAP defines business software as comprising enterprise resource planning and related applications such as supply chain management, customer relationship management, product life-cycle management and supplier relationship management. About Beam Global Spirits & Wine: Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, Teacher’s® Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper® Cordials and Liqueurs, Knob Creek® Bourbon and Starbucks™ Liqueurs. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company with annual sales exceeding $8 billion. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com. © 2007 Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., Deerfield, IL drink smart(R)