Named Top Systems Integrator in Greater Southeast District

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--INS, a leading global provider of business-driven information technology consulting and software solutions, announced today that is has been named by Microsoft as its 2006 Partner of the Year for the Greater Southeast District (GSD), which comprises Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi and Alabama. As the top Systems Integrator Managed Partner in the GSD, INS produced a winning combination of highest license revenue generated and most number of wins, along with the creation of an extremely positive working relationship with the Microsoft account team as measured by feedback from the team members themselves.

"I could not be more impressed by the tireless efforts that the Southeast Operation put into building our Microsoft business, and more proud of the distinction they have received as Partner of the Year," said INS CEO and President David Butze. "This achievement reflects the hard work each and every member of the Operation put in to firmly establish INS as the best place to go for business solutions built on Microsoft platforms."

"I have seen the INS Southeast Operation truly evolve over the past 27 months from being just Infrastructure and Security focused, to also include the Information Worker business," stated David Lochridge, Microsoft Business Development Manager. "In that time INS' dedication to the Microsoft partnership has been unwavering, which has resulted in this well-deserved recognition."

INS outpaced more than 15 other Systems Integration Managed Partners during fiscal 2006 to achieve this recognition from Microsoft. Among the services provided to Microsoft customers were a platform migration assessment for a large financial services transaction company, which resulted in a solid business case for moving from Lotus Notes/Domino technology to the Microsoft stack; several web-application Ethical Hacking projects for financial services, healthcare and manufacturing companies, which provided critical data to harden their Microsoft server and application environments; and Microsoft Exchange designs for migration from versions 5.5 and 2000 to Exchange 2003.

"I have tremendous respect for Microsoft, so this acknowledgement by them has special meaning," stated Mick Regan, INS Senior Vice President for North American East Region. "I am very thankful for the efforts and high achievements of the INS Southeast Operation and the support we received from within Microsoft and INS. I fully expect this team effort to lead to even greater success in fiscal year 2007."

"This award represents the strength of the partnership that has been built between the INS and Microsoft teams in the Southeast, and is a direct result of the hard work of our sales and delivery teams and their unwavering commitment to success," said Ritch Williams, INS Account Manager and one of three Operations Interface Coordinators for Microsoft in the GSD. "Our relationship with Microsoft has helped us to create solutions for clients that have consistently exceed their expectations in a timely and cost effective manner."

About INS

INS is a leading global provider of business-driven information technology consulting and software solutions. For more than a decade, we've been helping organizations effectively use technology to achieve strategic business goals. Our unique solution portfolio enables our customers to reduce costs, increase flexibility, strengthen security, ensure compliance and improve efficiency.

We apply our structured methodologies, strategic alliances and diverse industry experience to deliver in-depth analyses and implement custom solutions aimed at driving business growth. Our consultants hold over 1,100 certifications in 96 categories and our KnowledgeNet database gives them access to over 15 years worth of intellectual property, solutions and proven techniques in an easily-searchable format. Our customers include global enterprises and service providers in all major industries, including telecommunications, financial services, retail, pharmaceutical/ healthcare, manufacturing, government and travel and transportation.

For additional information, please visit www.ins.com or contact INS at 1-888-767-2788 in the U.S., 44 (0) 1628 503000 in Europe, 65 6549 7188 Asia, or 1-408-330-2700 worldwide.

INS is a trademark of International Network Services Inc. All other products or services mentioned are the trademark, service marks, registered trademarks or registered service marks of their respective owners.

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Contact:
INS
Rick Blum, 1-978-318-9449 (U.S.)
rick.blum@ins.com
Alan Roach, 44 1628 503012 (EMEA)
alan.roach@ins.com
Elvin Ambler, 1-408-330-2710 (Pacific Rim)
elvin.ambler@ins.com

Source: INS

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