Lawson Software Guidance Disappoints

Updated from 4/03/08

SAN FRANCISCO -- Lawson Software's(LWSN Quote) third-quarter revenue and fourth-quarter forecast disappointed Wall Street Thursday, but not due to a weakening market, executives said.

Unlike competitor Oracle(symbol Quote), which reported having difficulty closing deals in late February, Lawson executives say they've seen no slowdown in sales.

Executives were bullish on the conference call, noting that Lawson beat out both Oracle and SAP(SAP Quote) for its largest deal signed in the quarter, which was with a U.S. company. The upfront payment went entirely into deferred revenue, helping to boost the pipeline, Lawson President and CEO Harry Debes said. ...