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HMS achieves Microsoft Networking Competency

New competency further solidifies HMS Software's role as a key partner in the enterprise project management arena

Montreal January 10, 2006 - HMS Software, a leading provider of project management and enterprise timesheet solutions, has received confirmation that it has achieved Microsoft's Networking Infrastructure Competency. This is HMS Software's third achievement in the Microsoft Partner competency series and adds to the Information Worker and Independent Software Vendor (ISV) competencies already completed by HMS. This latest move helps ensure HMS's status as a Microsoft Gold Certified partner for another year.

The Networking competency is awarded by Microsoft to partners who have proven expertise in design, deployment and customization of Networking Infrastructure solutions using Microsoft technology. Partners must show that they have certified experts on staff and must identify references which Microsoft contacts to ensure that they have adequately performed work in this category.

"Achieving the Networking Infrastructure competency was a natural for us," explains Chris Vandersluis, president of HMS Software. "As a Microsoft Gold Certified partner who often works in the enterprise project management (EPM) arena, our consultants are constantly asked to assist with the design and deployment of servers and other network components. Our EPM deployments of Microsoft Project Server often involve connecting with multiple servers and Microsoft technologies such as Windows SharePoint Services, Windows 2003 Server, SQL Server, and Internet Information Services."

HMS references submitted to Microsoft included work done at Transcontinental Printing, Ericsson Canada, McGill University and the Ontario Ministry of Health.

"We're appreciative of all the support we've had from our clients in achieving this competency," says Vandersluis. "Our clients were very helpful in reviewing our reference applications and then identifying to Microsoft what Networking work was accomplished and with what technology."

With this third competency now complete, HMS has further solidified its position as a significant partner for Microsoft. "Our Microsoft relationship continues to grow," says Julie Benard, HMS Software's Microsoft Liason. "We are already well known in the enterprise project management field in Canada and in the US. HMS has been listed as a Global ISV partner by Microsoft's US Sales office thanks to our TimeControl timesheet system which links to Microsoft Project. Having the new Networking Infrastructure competency means that Microsoft field personnel and other partners will feel more comfortable engaging with us on more complex projects."

While HMS has no immediate plans for a new Microsoft Partner competency, it's certification efforts are not over. "We're now working on a brand new certification at Microsoft called the EPM Specialization," says Vandersluis. Given how new it is, there are very few partners at our level who have this specialization and we hope to complete the outstanding work to achieve that specialization in the coming weeks."

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. For more information about Microsoft Project visit www.microsoft.com/project.

About TimeControl

TimeControl was originally released in 1994. It was immediately successful in the project management sector and today is recognized not only as a project management solution, but also as an enterprise timesheet solution in use by companies worldwide. TimeControl is designed as a multipurpose timesheet able to serve the needs of both Finance and Project Management simultaneously. It includes features such as a multi-browser, multi-device interface, a PC and mobile interface, vacation approvals, executive dashboards, extensive approval functionality, flexible reporting and links to project management and corporate systems which makes the timesheet product ideally suited for integration with existing systems in any organization. TimeControl's flexibility allows it to be deployed for use as a time and attendance, time and billing, project tracking and flex-time system. TimeControl is available both for purchase for an on-premises installation or as an on-line subscription in the Cloud.

To access the free Hosted TimeControl Trial site, visit our free trial page.

For more information about TimeControl, monitor the TimeControl blog at http://blog.timecontrol.org/ or the TimeControl website at www.timecontrol.com.

For information about TimeControlOnline, our hosted timesheet subscription service in the cloud, go to www.timecontrol.com/features/timecontrol-online.

For any other questions, please contact HMS Software at info@hms.ca.

TimeControl is represented around the world by our distributors in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, the UK, and the U.S.

About HMS Software

Based in Montreal, Canada with offices in Toronto, HMS Software has been a leading provider of project management and enterprise timesheet systems and services since 1984. HMS Software's first customized timesheet application was written in 1984. With the launch of TimeControl as a commercial application in 1994, HMS Software began servicing clients worldwide.

HMS Software's client list reads like a who's who of business. It includes Acergy, Aecon, Rio Tinto, the Atlanta Airport, the City of Montreal, the County of San Mateo, Electromotive Diesel, EXFO, FT Services, Kelly Services, Koch, Merck Frosst, the Government of Quebec, Georgia Pacific, Parker Hannifin, Rolls Royce, Sobeys, Volvo Novabus, Zimmer Inc. and hundreds of others.

For further information about HMS Software, please visit the HMS website at: www.hms.ca or contact us at info@hms.ca.