Method and systems for developing an acquisition integration project plan

• US 7,006,978 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2001
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Capital US Holdings, Inc. (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Crabtree, Charles, Herman, Ronald, Lineberry, Susan S., Cheyns, Jannic
• Primary Examiner(s): Diaz, Susanna M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jarrett, Scott L.
• Application Number:
  US09/855,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20020169649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,751 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/10, 705/8, 705/9, 703/2, 707/1, 707/8
• US Class Current: 705/7.21
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063114 Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1097 Task assignment

Abstract

Systems and methods that facilitate integration of one corporate entity into another corporate entity are described herein. In one embodiment, a method in a computer for generating an acquisition integration project plan includes displaying a plurality of pre-defined integration events based upon at least one user selected integration area, each pre-defined integration event being associated with a phase in an acquisition process, displaying at least one user selected, pre-defined integration event for each user selected integration area, displaying at least one of a name of a person responsible, a due date, a completion percentage, and a commentary for each user selected, pre-defined integration event, and storing the user selected, pre-defined integration events and corresponding integration areas as an acquisition integration project plan.

Claims

1. A method performed by a computer for developing an acquisition integration project plan outlining at least one process for performing an acquisition integration and providing information to perform the acquisition integration, the acquisition integration including assimilating an acquiring entity with an acquisition target including at least one of a newly acquired company and a newly acquired asset including a portfolio, said method comprising the steps of:

automatically displaying on the computer a plurality of integration areas to be selected by a user based on a type of acquisition being performed including at least one of a type of company and a type of asset being acquired, the plurality of integration areas are menu selections selectable by the user and are not entered into the computer by the user, the plurality of integration areas include commercial, operational, human resources, legal and financial;

automatically displaying on the computer a plurality of pre-defined integration events based upon the user selected integration areas, each pre-defined integration event being displayed in association with a phase in an acquisition process including a pre-due diligence phase, a due diligence phase, a post sign/pre-close phase, a post close phase, and a transition to operations phase, the plurality of pre-defined integration events are menu selections selectable by the user and are not entered into the computer by the user, the plurality of pre-defined integration events are associated with a variety of acquisition types, each of the plurality of pre-defined integration events are automatically selectable as a required integration event to be performed as part of the integration for the specific type of acquisition being performed;

displaying on the computer a detailed explanation for each pre-defined integration event including a description of the integration event, advice for performing the integration event, and a sample presentation relating to the integration event, the description facilitates determining a percentage of completion of the integration event, the advice is based on prior acquisition integrations and provides guidance to a person responsible for performing the integration event on how to accomplish the integration event, the sample presentation includes an attached file including data previously presented by the acquiring entity as part of a prior acquisition integration, the detailed explanations are viewable by the user and are not entered into the computer by the user;

developing an acquisition integration project plan for the specific acquisition integration by prompting the user to select from the display at least one pre-defined integration event for the each user selected integration area, the acquisition integration project plan includes the user selected integration events and any automatically selected integration events to be performed as part of the acquisition including the integration events to be performed during the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the post sign/pre-close phase of the acquisition process, the post close phase of the acquisition process, and the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process, the acquisition integration project plan outlines the integration events to be performed in a recommended sequential order from the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process through the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process;

displaying a name of a person responsible, a due date, a completion percentage, and a commentary for each user selected, pre-defined integration event and each automatically selected, pre-defined integration event; and

storing the user selected and the automatically selected integration events and the name of a person responsible, the due date, the completion percentage, and the commentary for each integration event into corresponding integration areas, as the acquisition integration project plan.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

receiving user defined integration events for the integration project;

displaying user defined integration events for the integration project; and

storing the user defined integration events within the acquisition integration project plan.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said step of storing the user defined integration events comprises the step of storing the user defined integration events as corresponding to at least one user defined integration area.

4. A method according to claim 3 further comprising the step of forwarding the user defined integration areas and user defined integration events to a system administrator for inclusion into the pre-defined integration areas and pre-defined integration events.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the acquisition integration project plan is stored in a spreadsheet format and a web page format.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of displaying a detailed explanation for each pre-defined integration event further comprises enabling a user to update the advice for performing an integration event and the at least one sample presentation relating to the integration event during an acquisition process.

7. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying, without being entered by the user, a deliverable checklist for each integration event.

8. A computer for developing an acquisition integration project plan outlining at least one process for performing an acquisition integration and providing information to perform the acquisition integration, the acquisition integration including assimilating an acquiring entity with an acquisition target including at least one of a newly acquired company and a newly acquired asset including a portfolio, said computer programmed to:

automatically display a plurality of integration areas to be selected by a user based on a type of acquisition being performed including at least one of a type of company and a type of asset being acquired, the plurality of integration areas are menu selections selectable by the user and are not entered into the computer by the user, the plurality of integration areas include commercial, operational, human resources, legal and financial;

automatically display a plurality of pre-defined integration events based upon the user selected integration areas, each pre-defined integration event being associated with a phase in an acquisition process including a pre-due diligence phase, a due diligence phase, a post sign/pre-close phase, a post close phase, and a transition to operations phase, the plurality of pre-defined integration events are associated with a variety of acquisition types including at least one of a variety of companies and assets being acquired, the plurality of pre-defined integration events are menu selections selectable by the user and are not entered into the computer by the user, each of the plurality of pre-defined integration events are automatically selectable as a required integration event to be performed as part of the integration for the specific type of acquisition being performed;

display a detailed explanation for each pre-defined integration event including a description of the integration event, advice for performing the integration event, and a sample presentation relating to the integration event, the description facilitates determining a percentage of completion of the integration event, the advice is based on prior acquisition integrations and provides guidance to a person responsible for performing the integration event on how to accomplish the integration event, the sample presentation includes an attached file including data previously presented by the acquiring entity as part of a prior acquisition integration, the detailed explanations are viewable by the user and are not entered into the computer by the user;

develop an acquisition integration project plan for the specific acquisition integration by prompting the user to select from the display at least one pre-defined integration event for the each user selected integration area, the acquisition integration project plan includes the user selected integration events and any automatically selected integration events to be performed as part of the acquisition including the integration events to be performed during the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the post sign/pre-close phase of the acquisition process, the post close phase of the acquisition process, and the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process, the acquisition integration project plan outlines the integration events to be performed in a recommended sequential order from the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process through the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process;

display a name of a person responsible, a due date, a completion percentage, and a commentary for each user selected, pre-defined integration event and each automatically selected, pre-defined integration event; and

store the user selected and automatically selected integration events and the name of a person responsible, the due date, the completion percentage, and the commentary for each integration event into corresponding integration areas as an acquisition integration project plan.

9. A computer according to claim 8 further programmed to:

display user defined integration events for the integration project; and

store the user defined integration events within the acquisition integration project plan.

10. A computer according to claim 9 further programmed to store the user defined integration events as corresponding to at least one user defined integration area.

11. A computer according to claim 10 further programmed to forward the user defined integration areas and user defined integration events to a system administrator for inclusion into the pre-defined integration areas and pre-defined integration events.

12. A computer according to claim 8 further programmed to store the acquisition integration project plan in a spreadsheet format and a web page format.

13. A computer according to claim 8 further programmed to enable a user to update the advice for performing an integration event and the at least one sample presentation related to the integration event during an acquisition process.

14. A computer according to claim 8 further programmed to display a deliverable checklist for each integration event.

15. A system for developing an acquisition integration project plan outlining at least one process for performing an acquisition integration and providing information to perform the acquisition integration including assimilating an acquiring entity with an acquisition including at least one of a newly acquired company and a newly acquired asset including a portfolio, said system comprising:

a client system comprising a browser;

a database for storing data; and

a server coupled to said client system and said database, said server programmed to;

automatically display on said client system a plurality of integration areas to be selected by a user based on a type of acquisition being performed including at least one of a type of company and a type of asset being acquired, the plurality of integration areas are menu selections selectable by the user and are not entered into the system by the user, the plurality of integration areas include commercial, operational, human resources, legal and financial;

automatically display on said client system a plurality of integration events based upon the user selected integration areas, each integration event being displayed in association with a phase in an acquisition process including a pre-due diligence phase, a due diligence phase, a post sign/pre-close phase, a post close phase, and a transition to operations phase, the plurality of integration events are menu selections selectable by the user and are not entered into the system by the user, the plurality of pre-defined integration events are associated with a variety of acquisition types, each of the plurality of integration events are automatically selectable as a required integration event to be performed as part of the integration for the specific type of acquisition being performed;

display on said client system a detailed explanation for each integration event including a description of the integration event, advice for performing the integration event, and a sample presentation relating to the integration event, the description facilitates determining a percentage of completion of the integration event, the advice is based on prior acquisition integrations and provides guidance to a person responsible for performing the integration event on how to accomplish the integration event, the sample presentation includes an attached file including data previously presented by the acquiring entity as part of a prior acquisition integration, the detailed explanations are viewable by the user and are not entered into the computer by the user;

develop an acquisition integration project plan for the specific acquisition integration by prompting the user to select from the display at least one integration event for the each user selected integration area, the acquisition integration project plan includes the user selected integration events and any automatically selected integration events to be performed as part of the acquisition including the integration events to be performed during the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the post sign/pre-close phase of the acquisition process, the post close phase of the acquisition process, and the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process, the acquisition integration project plan outlines the integration events to be performed in a recommended sequential order from the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process through the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process;

display on said client system a name of a person responsible, a due date, a completion percentage, and a commentary for each user selected integration event and each automatically selected integration event; and

store in the database the user selected and automatically selected integration events and the name of a person responsible, the due date, the completion percentage, and the commentary for each integration event into corresponding integration areas, as an acquisition integration project plan.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein said database further comprises data corresponding to at least one of a name of a person responsible, a completion percentage, a due date, and a commentary for each integration event.

17. A system according to claim 15 wherein said database further comprises data corresponding to an overview of acquisition integration, and feedback received from users.

18. A system according to claim 15 wherein said database further comprises data corresponding to at least one of a deliverables checklist for each integration area and headings for integration events within an integration area of pre-due diligence, due diligence, post sign/pre-close, post close, and transition to operations.

19. A system according to claim 15 wherein said server is configured to cause a screen listing a plurality of integration areas to be displayed at the client system.

20. A system according to claim 19 wherein for an integration area, said server is configured to cause said client system to display a plurality of integration events for the integration area.

21. A system according to claim 20 wherein the integration events are sorted under headings comprising pre-due diligence, due diligence, post sign/pre-close, post close, and transition to operations.

22. A system according to claim 15 wherein said server is configured to cause a screen listing a plurality of deliverables checklists for an integration area.

23. A method for developing an acquisition integration project plan outlining at least one process for performing an acquisition integration and providing information to perform the acquisition integration, the acquisition integration including assimilating an acquiring entity with an acquisition target including at least one of a newly acquired company and a newly acquired asset including a portfolio, said method comprising the steps of:

automatically displaying on an electronic interface a plurality of integration areas to be selected by a user based on a type of acquisition being performed including at least one of a type of company and a type of asset being acquired, the plurality of integration areas are menu selections selectable by the user, the plurality of integration areas include commercial, operational, human resources, legal and financial;

selecting, from the electronic interface, at least one of the plurality of integration areas;

automatically displaying on an electronic interface a plurality of integration events based on the user selected integration areas, each integration event being displayed in association with a phase in an acquisition process including a pre-due diligence phase, a due diligence phase, a post sign/pre-close phase, a post close phase, and a transition to operations phase, the plurality of integration events are menu selections selectable by the user, the plurality of integration events are associated with a variety of acquisition types, each of the plurality of integration events are automatically selectable as a required integration event to be performed as part of the integration for the specific type of acquisition being performed;

identifying, from the electronic interface, a responsible person responsible for each integration area;

identifying, from the electronic interface, at least one of a person responsible and a due date for each integration event within an integration area;

requesting, from the electronic interface, a percentage completion for each integration event;

requesting, from the electronic interface, a detailed explanation for an integration event including a description of the integration event, advice for performing the integration event, and a sample presentation relating to the integration event, the description facilitates determining the percentage of completion of the integration event, the advice is based on prior acquisition integrations and provides guidance to a person responsible for performing the integration event on how to accomplish the integration event, the sample presentation includes an attached file including data previously presented by the acquiring entity as part of a prior acquisition integration; and

developing an acquisition integration project plan for the specific acquisition integration by prompting the user to select from the display at least one integration event for the each user selected integration area, the acquisition integration project plan includes the user selected integration events and any automatically selected integration events to be performed as part of the acquisition including the integration events to be performed during the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the post sign/pre-close phase of the acquisition process, the post close phase of the acquisition process, and the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process, the acquisition integration project plan outlines the integration events to be performed in a recommended sequential order from the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process through the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the integration areas comprise business leader, integration manager, due diligence leader, sales/marketing, sourcing, customer services, collections, manufacturing, engineering, environmental health and safety, services, risk management, six sigma, information technology, communication, human resources strategy, human resources labor relations, human resources employee benefits, human resources compensation, controllership, legal, intellectual property, treasury, Euro program, financial planning, closing reporting, tax integration, and insurance.

25. A method according to claim 23 further comprising the step of using the electronic interface to update the advice for performing an integration event and the at least one sample presentation relating to the integration event during an acquisition process.

26. A method according to claim 23 further comprising the step of attaching to an integration event, using the electronic interface, at least one sample presentation.

27. A method according to claim 23 further comprising the step of requesting, from the electronic interface, a deliverables checklist for an integration area.

28. A method according to claim 23 further comprising the step of entering, into the electronic interface, comments regarding an acquisition integration.

29. Apparatus for developing an acquisition integration project plan outlining at least one process for performing an acquisition integration and providing information to perform the acquisition integration, the acquisition integration including assimilating an acquiring entity with an acquisition target including at least one of a newly acquired company and a newly acquired asset including a portfolio, said apparatus comprising:

means for automatically displaying on a computer a plurality of integration areas to be selected by a user based on a type of acquisition being performed including at least one of a type of company and a type of asset being acquired, the plurality of integration areas are menu selections selectable by the user, the plurality of integration areas include commercial, operational, human resources, legal and financial;

means for automatically displaying on the computer a plurality of integration events for the user selected integration areas, each integration event being displayed in association with a phase in an acquisition process including a pre-due diligence phase, a due diligence phase, a post sign/pre-close phase, a post close phase, and a transition to operations phase, the plurality of integration events are menu selections selectable by the user, the plurality of integration events are associated with a variety of acquisition types, each of the plurality of integration events are automatically selectable as a required integration event to be performed as part of the integration for the specific type of acquisition being performed;

means for displaying on the computer a detailed explanation for each integration event including a description of the integration event, advice for performing the integration event, and a sample presentation relating to the integration event, the description facilitates determining a percentage of completion of the integration event, the advice is based on prior acquisition integrations and provides guidance to a person responsible for performing the integration event on how to accomplish the integration event, the sample presentation includes an attached file including data previously presented by the acquiring entity as part of a prior acquisition integration; and

means for developing an integration acquisition project plan using the user selected and the automatically selected integration events, the acquisition integration project plan includes the user selected integration events and any automatically selected integration events to be performed as part of the acquisition including the integration events to be performed during the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the post sign/pre-close phase of the acquisition process, the post close phase of the acquisition process, and the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process, the acquisition integration project plan outlines the integration events to be performed in a recommended sequential order from the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process through the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process.

30. Apparatus according to claim 29 further comprising means for displaying a plurality of sub-events for an integration event.

31. Apparatus according to claim 29 further comprising means for displaying a name of a person responsible for each integration area.

32. Apparatus according to claim 29 further comprising means for displaying an explanation for a selected integration event.

33. Apparatus according to claim 29 further comprising means for displaying sample presentations from other integration projects.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the sample presentations are files stored within said apparatus.

35. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for developing an acquisition integration project plan and for managing acquisition integration to achieve acquisition synergies, customer satisfaction and operational excellence, acquisition integration including assimilating an acquiring entity with an acquisition target including at least one of a newly acquired company and a newly acquired asset including a portfolio, said computer program comprising a code segment that:

automatically displays on the computer a plurality of integration areas to be selected by a user based on a type of acquisition being performed including at least one of a type of company and a type of asset being acquired, the plurality of integration areas are menu selections selectable by the user, the plurality of integration areas include commercial, operational, human resources, legal and financial;

automatically displays on the computer integration events associated with each user selected integration areas, each integration event associated with a phase in an acquisition process including a pre-due diligence phase, a due diligence phase, a post sign/pre-close phase, a post close phase, and a transition to operations phase, the integration events are associated with a variety of acquisition types, the integration events are menu selections selectable by the user, the plurality of integration events are associated with a variety of acquisition types, each of the plurality of integration events are automatically selectable as a required integration event to be performed as part of the integration for the specific type of acquisition being performed;

displays on the computer a detailed explanation for each integration event including a description of the integration event, advice for performing the integration event, and a sample presentation relating to the integration event, the description facilitates determining a percentage of completion of the integration event, the advice is based on prior acquisition integrations and provides guidance to a person responsible for performing the integration event on how to accomplish the integration event, the sample presentation includes an attached file including data previously presented by the acquiring entity as part of a prior acquisition integration; and

develops an acquisition integration plan for the specific acquisition integration including a set of integration events and deliverable checklists by prompting the user to select from the display at least one integration event for the each user selected integration area, the acquisition integration project plan includes the user selected integration events and any automatically selected integration events to be performed as part of the acquisition including the integration events to be performed during the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the post sign/pre-close phase of the acquisition process, the post close phase of the acquisition process, and the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process, the acquisition integration project plan outlines the integration events to be performed in a recommended sequential order from the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process through the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process.

36. A computer program according to claim 35 further comprising a code segment that allows the user to enter names of persons responsible, percentage completions, due dates, and comments for each integration event.

37. A computer program according to claim 35 further comprising a code segment that manages records pertaining to explanations for each integration event.

38. A computer program according to claim 35 further comprising a code segment that manages records pertaining to sample presentations for at least one integration event.

39. A computer program according to claim 35 further comprising a code segment that manages records pertaining to an overview of acquisition integration.

40. A computer program according to claim 35 further comprising a code segment that manages records pertaining to feedback received from users.

41. A computer program according to claim 35 further comprising a code segment that manages records pertaining to a deliverables checklist for at least one integration area.

42. A computer program according to claim 35 wherein the data is received from the user via a graphical user interface.

43. A computer program according to claim 35 further comprising a code segment that generates acquisition integration plan based on pre-stored assumptions in a database.

44. A computer program according to claim 35 further comprising a code segment that displays information through a web page downloaded by a server system.

45. A computer program according to claim 35 further comprising a code segment that:

accesses a database;

searches the database regarding the specific inquiry;

retrieves information from the database; and

causes the retrieved information to be displayed on the computer.

46. A method for operating a computer to develop an acquisition integration project plan outlining at least one process for performing an acquisition integration and providing information to perform the acquisition integration, the acquisition integration including assimilating an acquiring entity with an acquisition target including at least one of a newly acquired company and a newly acquired asset including a portfolio, said method comprising the steps of:

prompting a user to select an integration area from an acquisition integration main user interface by automatically displaying a plurality of integration areas on the acquisition integration main interface, the plurality of integration areas are menu selections selectable by the user, the plurality of integration areas include commercial, operational, human resources, legal and financial;

automatically displaying on the computer a set of user selectable and automatically selectable integration events for the user selected integration areas, each integration event being displayed in association with a phase in an acquisition process including a pre-due diligence phase, a due diligence phase, a post sign/pre-close phase, a post close phase, and a transition to operations phase, the integration events are menu selections selectable by the user, the integration events are associated with a variety of acquisition types, each of the integration events are automatically selectable as a required integration event to be performed as part of the integration for a specific type of acquisition being performed;

displaying on the computer a detailed explanation for each integration event including a description of the integration event, advice for performing the integration event, and a sample presentation relating to the integration event, the description facilitates determining a percentage of completion of the integration event, the advice is based on prior acquisition integrations and provides guidance to a person responsible for performing the integration event on how to accomplish the integration event, the sample presentation includes an attached file including data previously presented by the acquiring entity as part of a prior acquisition integration; and

developing an acquisition integration project plan for the acquisition integration by prompting the user to select from the display at least one integration event for the each user selected integration area, the acquisition integration project plan includes the user selected integration events and any automatically selected integration events to be performed as part of the acquisition including the integration events to be performed during the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the post sign/pre-close phase of the acquisition process, the post close phase of the acquisition process, and the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process, the acquisition integration project plan outlines the integration events to be performed in a recommended sequential order from the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process through the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process.

47. A method according to claim 46 wherein the acquisition integration project plan further incorporates integration sub-events for one of the integration events.

48. A method according to claim 46 further comprising the step of displaying a name of a person responsible for the selected integration area.

49. A method according to claim 46 wherein said step of displaying a set of selectable integration events further comprises the step of providing a user interface which includes an explanation for a selected integration event.

50. A method according to claim 49 wherein the explanation for a selected integration event comprises sample presentations from other acquisition integration projects.

51. A method according to claim 50 wherein the sample presentations are files stored within the computer.

52. A method according to claim 46 wherein each selectable integration event is displayed under at least one of a plurality of headings, the headings comprising pre-due diligence, due diligence, post sign/pre-close, post close, and transition to operations.

53. A method according to claim 46 wherein said step of prompting a user to select an integration area comprises the step of displaying an integration area list which comprises business leader, integration manager, due diligence leader, sales/marketing, E-commerce, customer services, collections, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, environmental health and safety, services, risk management, six sigma, information technology, communication, culture, human resources (HR) strategy, HR labor relations, HR employee benefits, HR compensation, HR employment practices, payroll benefits, expatriate administration, travel and living expenses, legal, intellectual property, compliance, treasury, Euro program, financial planning, closing reporting, tax integration, controllership and insurance.

54. A computer for developing an acquisition integration project plan outlining at least one process for performing an acquisition integration and providing information to perform the acquisition integration, the acquisition integration including assimilating an acquiring entity with an acquisition target including at least one of a newly acquired company and a newly acquired asset including a portfolio, said computer programmed to:

prompt a user to select an integration area from a computer generated screen configured as an acquisition integration main user interface by automatically displaying on the acquisition integration main user interface a plurality of integration areas, the plurality of integration areas are menu selections selectable by a user, the plurality of integration areas include commercial, operational, human resources, legal and financial;

automatically display on the computer a set of selectable integration events for the selected integration area, each integration event being displayed in association with a phase in an acquisition process including a pre-due diligence phase, a due diligence phase, a post sign/pre-close phase, a post close phase, and a transition to operations phase, the integration events are menu selections selectable by the user, the integration events are associated with a variety of acquisition types, each of the integration events are automatically selectable as a required integration event to be performed as part of the integration for a specific type of acquisition being performed;

display on the computer a detailed explanation for each integration event including a description of the integration event, advice for performing the integration event, and a sample presentation relating to the integration event, the description facilitates determining a percentage of completion of the integration event, the advice is based on prior acquisition integrations and provides guidance to a person responsible for performing the integration event on how to accomplish the integration event, the sample presentation includes an attached file including data previously presented by the acquiring entity as part of a prior acquisition integration; and

develop an acquisition integration project plan by prompting the user to select from the display at least one integration event for the user selected integration areas, the acquisition integration project plan includes the user selected integration events and any automatically selected integration events to be performed as part of the acquisition including the integration events to be performed during the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the post sign/pre-close phase of the acquisition process, the post close phase of the acquisition process, and the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process, the acquisition integration project plan outlines the integration events to be performed in a recommended sequential order from the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process through the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process.

55. A computer according to claim 54 further programmed to incorporate integration sub-events for one or more of the integration events within the integration project plan.

56. A computer according to claim 54 wherein for an integration area, said computer displays a computer generated screen with a name of a person responsible for the selected integration area.

57. A computer according to claim 54 wherein for a selected integration event, said computer is programmed to display a computer generated screen providing the user with an explanation of the selected integration event.

58. A computer according to claim 57 wherein the explanation for an integration event comprises sample presentations from other integration projects.

59. A computer according to claim 58 wherein said sample presentations are files stored within said computer.

60. A computer according to claim 54 wherein to display selectable integration events, said computer displays a computer generated screen listing the selectable integration events under headings comprising pre-due diligence, due diligence, post sign/pre-close, post close, and transition to operations.

61. A computer according to claim 54 configured with an integration area list which comprises business leader, integration manager, due diligence leader, sales/marketing, E-commerce, customer services, collections, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, environmental health and safety, services, risk management, six sigma, information technology, communication, culture, human resources (HR) strategy, HR labor relations, HR employee benefits, HR compensation, HR employment practices, payroll benefits, expatriate administration, travel and living expenses, legal, intellectual property, compliance, treasury, Euro program, financial planning, closing reporting, tax integration, controllership and insurance.

62. A computer-readable medium for developing an acquisition integration project plan outlining at least one process for performing an acquisition integration and providing information to perform the acquisition integration, the acquisition integration including assimilating an acquiring entity with an acquisition target including at least one of a newly acquired company and a newly acquired asset including a portfolio, said computer-readable medium executable by a computer for controlling the computer to:

automatically display on the computer a plurality of pre-defined integration areas to be selected by a user based on a type of acquisition being performed including at least one of a type of company and a type of asset being acquired, the plurality of pre-defined integration areas are menu selections selectable by the user, the plurality of integration areas include commercial, operational, human resources, legal and financial;

automatically display on the computer a plurality of pre-defined integration events based upon the user selected integration areas, each pre-defined integration event being displayed in association with a phase in an acquisition process including a pre-due diligence phase, a due diligence phase, a post sign/pre-close phase, a post close phase, and a transition to operations phase, the plurality of pre-defined integration events are menu selections selectable by the user, the plurality of pre-defined integration events are associated with a variety of acquisition types, each of the plurality of pre-defined integration events are automatically selectable as a required integration event to be performed as part of the integration for the specific type of acquisition being performed;

display on the computer a detailed explanation for each selected pre-defined integration event including a description of the integration event, advice for performing the integration event, and a sample presentation relating to the integration event, the description facilitates determining a percentage of completion of the integration event, the advice is based on prior acquisition integrations and provides guidance to a person responsible for performing the integration event on how to accomplish the integration event, the sample presentation includes an attached file including data previously presented by the acquiring entity as part of a prior acquisition processes integration; and

develop an acquisition integration plan for the specific acquisition integration by prompting the user to select from the display at least one integration event for each user selected, pre-defined integration area, the acquisition integration project plan includes the user selected integration events and any automatically selected integration events to be performed as part of the acquisition including the integration events to be performed during the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the due diligence phase of the acquisition process, the post sign/pre-close phase of the acquisition process, the post close phase of the acquisition process, and the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process, the acquisition integration project plan outlines the integration events to be performed in a recommended sequential order from the pre-due diligence phase of the acquisition process through the transition to operations phase of the acquisition process.

63. A computer-readable medium according to claim 62 wherein the computer is further controlled to:

receive user defined integration areas and user defined integration events; and

incorporate the user defined integration areas and user defined integration events into the generated acquisition integration plan.

64. A computer-readable medium according to claim 62 wherein the computer is further controlled to display the generated acquisition integration plan in a spreadsheet format and a web page format.

65. A computer-readable medium according to claim 62 wherein the computer is further controlled to store user feedback on said medium.

66. A computer-readable medium according to claim 62 wherein the computer is further controlled to:

group integration events for at least one integration area under headings of pre-due diligence, due diligence, post sign/pre-close, post close and transition to operations; and

receive a completion percentage for each heading for each integration area.

67. A computer-readable medium according to claim 66 wherein the computer further controlled to display the completion percentages for all integration areas within an acquisition integration project plan in a spreadsheet format.