IT has done a lot of growing up over the past few yearsóperhaps more so than any other period in its forty-plus year history. There are a number of reasons for this, but the primary factor is the economy. Companies reeling from the combination of the post-9/11 economic downturn, the collapse of the dot-com and telecom bubbles, and general economic pessimism, are seeking to trim expenses and increase profit margins in every way possible. IT, traditionally considered a cost center, is no exception, and the management of IT technologies and processes is a key area in which businesses can increase margins and decrease costs. Historically, CxOs often considered IT an unavoidable expense, allocating budget dollars only when absolutely necessary. This condition is improving somewhat, as IT is now being recognized as a critical success factor and competitive advantage in virtually any enterprise. Executives now realize that shrewd IT investments can pay off handsomely in the form of rapid returns on investment, increased productivity, decreased costs, higher profits and higher levels of competitive advantage. Today, more than ever, IT is the business, and the business is IT. Unfortunately, many companies are not taking advantage of many of the new advances in IT management technology. The key reason for this is the economyómanagers keeping a very tight rein on expenditures will only release budget if a very clear and compelling ROI case can be built, with payback often required in as little as 90 days. These restrictions translate to investments that must begin delivering value to the business immediately, without requiring extensive implementation and training cycles. Aspen's history of execution and success, coupled with its strategy and vision for managing the entire application life cycle makes it a leading solution provider.