McLean, Va. and Redmond, Wash., May 17, 2004 — BearingPoint, Inc., one of the world’s largest business consulting and systems integration firms, and Microsoft Corp. today announced they have signed a multi-year agreement to accelerate the development and delivery of information technology (IT) solutions to national and local government markets worldwide. Based on Microsoft
®
enterprise software, these solutions are designed to help government organizations increase operational efficiency, improve service to citizens, and reduce costs.
Under the agreement, BearingPoint and Microsoft are developing repeatable enterprise solutions in the areas of program management, electronic document filing, e-government, Web services, homeland security, public pension administration, and independent software vendor solutions using enterprise application software. BearingPoint and Microsoft are also launching a new enterprise-planning solution to help federal agencies justify and manage IT projects, programs, and portfolios more effectively.
The states of Florida, Georgia, and Texas are among clients currently realizing value from BearingPoint solutions built on Microsoft technologies.
BearingPoint worked with the Florida Division of Retirement, which has more than 600,000 active members and 200,000 retirees, to replace an outdated and costly mainframe system. As part of the department’s Reengineering Improvement and Modernization (RIM) initiative, BearingPoint implemented “Retirement Online,” built on Microsoft technology, which provides self-service for employers, members, and retirees. Among the benefits Florida is experiencing are improved data access, increased data integrity, improved security, increased productivity, and time and cost savings, all of which support Florida’s ability to meet a tremendous increase in workload without an increase in staff.
“Retirement Online, built on Microsoft technology, has helped us eliminate paper-based payroll reporting, reduce redundant tasks, and improve operational efficiencies throughout the organization, while providing a forum for our customers to get the information they need when they need it,” said Cathy Smith, Retirement Administrator, Florida Retirement System.
For the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRSGA), BearingPoint has implemented a new, fully integrated IT infrastructure, accounting, and pension administration system using Microsoft SQL Server (TM) 2000 and Microsoft .NET technologies. TRSGA administers more than 200,000 membership accounts and a payroll in excess of 50,000 monthly payments to retirees. The new solution, which replaced a costly and inflexible mainframe-based system, has enabled TRSGA to significantly improve customer service, accommodate its anticipated annual growth in membership, eliminate 10 million paper documents, and effectively manage workflow through the organization.
Last March, BearingPoint and Microsoft announced the availability to state governments of eFiling for Courts powered by BearingPoint and Microsoft, an innovative solution that removes many of the barriers to implementing electronic filing.
The State of Texas worked with BearingPoint to launch TexasOnline eFiling for Courts, which streamlines the process for filing and managing court documents, enabling courts and attorneys to increase efficiencies and improve customer service. The solution is offered through TexasOnline, the state’s e-government initiative, allowing courts to participate without incurring the cost of acquiring, building, and operating e-filing systems of their own. EFiling for Courts is currently being used in four counties in Texas, including Bexar, El Paso, Ft. Bend, and Upton.
“Electronic filing through TexasOnline offers significant advantages for both courts and attorneys. Courts benefit from the reduced paper load and the simplified, guaranteed payment system. Attorneys can reduce their filing costs and can meet filing deadlines that could otherwise have been impossible with traditional paper filing. All benefit from consistent, statewide standards and processes for e-filing in any participating jurisdiction,” said Gilbert Sanchez, District Clerk, El Paso County Texas.
“BearingPoint is recognized around the world for its leadership in the public sector,” said Rich Roberts, executive vice president of BearingPoint’s public services line of business. “By extending our relationship with Microsoft, we are able to leverage our respective strengths, capitalize on collaboration, on-going training, and team continuity, and ultimately, provide greater value to our government clients around the world.”
“Government organizations are searching for ways to better meet the needs of their constituents while reducing costs,” said Linda Zecher, vice president of Microsoft’s U.S. public sector business. “Aligning our focus, expertise, assets and resources allows BearingPoint and Microsoft to accelerate innovation and deliver pretested, low-risk and cost-effective solutions to governments worldwide. We are excited to evolve our relationship with BearingPoint to address a wide range of strategic areas for the public sector.”
To support the global initiative, the companies are mutually dedicating resources in five key areas: technical training, solutions co-development, solution center upgrades, pre-sales support and events, and engagement support.
About Microsoft Corp.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential
About BearingPoint, Inc.
BearingPoint, Inc. (NYSE:BE) is one of the world’s largest business consulting, systems integration and managed services firms serving Global 2000 companies, medium-sized businesses, government agencies and other organizations. We provide business and technology strategy, systems design, architecture, applications implementation, network infrastructure, systems integration and managed services. Our service offerings are designed to help our clients generate revenue, reduce costs and access the information necessary to operate their business on a timely basis. Based in McLean, Va., BearingPoint has been named by Fortune as one of America’s Most Admired Companies in the computer and data services sector. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.BearingPoint.com .
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, the accuracy of which is necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed in our most recent Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Microsoft is a registered trademark 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.
