ATLANTA, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southern Company today announced that IDG's CIO Magazine named it one of the 2009 CIO 100. The 22nd annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT). The awards were presented at a ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colo.

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In addition to being on the CIO 100 list, Southern Company also received the "Plus One award for Financial Impact," which is awarded for outstanding accomplishment toward the business goal of utilizing technology while achieving positive financial impact.

"This year's CIO 100 awards draws well-deserved attention to companies that are both innovating and creating business value with IT despite the economic downturn," said Maryfran Johnson, editor in chief of CIO Magazine & Events. "These winners are an inspiration to businesses everywhere."

CIO Magazine named Southern Company to the CIO 100 list for its work on SelectGeorgia.net, a Web-based system used by Georgia Power, one of Southern Company's four electric utility operating companies. SelectGeorgia.net allows executives who are considering Georgia as a possible location for their business to research all available properties in the state, as well as find extensive information on each of the state's 159 counties and 535 cities. The application has helped bring more than $1.3 billion in new capital investment and more than 5,800 new jobs to Georgia.

"SelectGeorgia.net is a great tool for economic development, as companies from anywhere in the world can get the information they need to make location decisions and local communities can make sure their sites, buildings, and data are kept up-to-date," said Kevin Fletcher, vice president of economic development for Georgia Power. "Everything we do relies on strong partnerships with organizations such as the Georgia Department of Economic Development, local chambers of commerce and development authorities, and internal groups such as Southern Company's IT organization. The data and support provided by our partners keeps SelectGeorgia.net running, relevant, and effective in bringing jobs and investment to Georgia."

"Southern Company is honored to receive CIO Magazine's CIO 100 award and equally pleased to also be recognized with this year's CIO Plus One award for financial impact," said David Ratcliffe, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company. "Our IT organization is truly among the best at developing innovative ways to utilize technology to advance operations, streamline processes and create efficiencies across the company to help us to better serve our customers."

The recipients of this year's CIO 100 award were selected through a three-step process. First, companies filled out an online application form detailing their innovative practices in both business and IT. Next, a team of judges reviewed the applications in depth, looking for unique practices and substantial results. Finally, CIO editors reviewed the judges' recommendations and voted on the final 100. Once the top 100 honorees were selected, several honorees were chosen to receive an additional special award.

CIO produces award-winning content and community resources for information technology executives thriving and prospering in this fast-paced era of business, as well as creates opportunities for information technology and consumer marketers to reach them. The CIO portfolio includes CIO.com, CIO Magazine (launched in 1987), CIO Executive Programs and the CIO Executive Council. CIO properties provide business technology leaders with analysis and insight on information technology trends and a keen understanding of IT's role in achieving business goals. The U.S. edition of the magazine and website are recipients of more than 200 awards to date, including three Grand Neals from the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards and two Magazine of the Year awards from the National Society of Business Publication Editors. CIO websites and magazines appear in more than 25 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, France and Germany. CIO, and sister brand CSO, are produced by CXO Media a subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading technology media, research and event company.

With 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are below the national average. Southern Company is consistently listed among the top U.S. electric service providers in customer satisfaction by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Visit our Web site at www.southerncompany.com.

SOURCE Southern Company

SOURCE: Southern Company

Web site: http://www.southerncompany.com/