Founded in 1986, HCSS sets the standard for estimating, field management and dispatching software for the infrastructure construction industry with true 24-hour technical support, on-site training by veteran contractors, and annual user's group meetings attended by hundreds of contractors each year. Thousands of contractors, bidding in excess of $100 billion per year, rely on HCSS products for their ease of use, speed, and precision in performing estimating and field management activities.

"We are very proud to have achieved Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program," said Mike Rydin, HCSS President. "Our expertise in providing cutting edge construction management software is clearly enhanced by our relationship with Microsoft, and the benefits provided through our Gold Certified status will allow us to continue to provide our customers with the very highest level of service."

"Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities. They need to trust in someone that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, which have certified expertise and direct training and support from Microsoft, can build a positive customer experience with our technologies," said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corp. "Today, Microsoft recognizes HCSS as a new Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise in providing customer satisfaction with Microsoft products and technology."

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Status, HCSS had to declare a Microsoft Competency. Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner's capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution. Each competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the technology industry.

Microsoft Gold Certified Partners enrolled in the Networking Infrastructure Solutions Competency have proved their competency in implementing technology solutions based on either the Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 or Windows® 2000 Server operating system, with a particular focus on Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 and Windows Small Business Server 2003. These implementations may include crafting solutions that connect Windows-based servers, PC locations and the Internet; installing a server farm; or building a small-business Windows Server stand-alone solution that includes file and print capabilities.

"We place tremendous value on our partners, who help us deliver solutions and applications to customers," said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft. "Solutions Competencies provide an integrated partnering framework that recognizes an enterprise's expertise and rewards it for the effect it has in the technology marketplace. It also allows companies to demonstrate for customers their knowledge of building solutions based on Microsoft technologies, such as setting up networks using Windows Server 2003 and Windows Small Business Server 2003."

The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in December 2003 and represents Microsoft's ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners' businesses be successful.

The HCSS Mission is to be the industry leader in helping construction companies solve their business problems through the use of our innovative, high quality software tools, expert consulting, and outstanding support, and to provide our services in a professional, fair, courteous, and exceptionally helpful manner. For more information about HCSS and their line of estimating, field management and dispatching software products for infrastructure contractors, please visit www.hcss.com or call 1-800-683-3196.

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