HPC First ISP to Offer Microsoft's New SharePoint Team Services; Internet Service Provider Partners With Vobix to Provide Software to Customers

Business Wire, Dec 5, 2001

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

BEDFORD, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2001

Internet Service Provider HPC today became the first ISP in the nation authorized to provide hosted SharePoint Team Services, Microsoft's new application designed to significantly improve the way companies manage information and activities.

HPC now offers its customers access to hosted versions of SharePoint Team Services and other Microsoft applications through a partnership with Vobix Corporation, a Louisville, Ky.-based managed applications provider. Vobix, recently certified as a Microsoft Web Presence Provider, delivers the software to ISP partners with its Managed Application Platform with Advanced Provisioning, an original Vobix software management application. HPC is the first company Vobix has authorized to sell SharePoint this way.

SharePoint Team Services is a tool to store and share information that gives companies all the benefits of a customized intranet, but doesn't cost thousands of dollars to set up or months to implement. Easy and inexpensive to employ, the tool helps companies manage group activities, work together effectively and progress toward shared goals. SharePoint creates a fully functional team information portal that can be managed from within a Web browser. The software is integrated with Microsoft Office XP as well as with Microsoft FrontPage 2002, a Web design and editing tool.

"We believe SharePoint will be of significant value to our customers," said Rick Yaney, CEO of HPC. "By placing ourselves on the cutting edge of what's new in technology, we can provide our customers greater access to the latest technology available in a cost-effective manner."

"From the research we conducted, not only were ISPs all over the country interested in providing hosted software, but the ISP business model in general is moving in that direction already," said Jeff Biggs, CTIO at Vobix. "Omni Consulting Group suggested earlier this year that ISPs would soon begin to evolve in order to compete in the future of managed application services. It makes total sense; now businesses can use their ISPs for more than just their connection to the Internet. HPC is always looking for opportunities to add value for their business customers and this platform does just that."

About Vobix

Vobix is a managed technology provider that helps organizations focus on what they do best, featuring two distinct solutions: One of a select group to be named a Microsoft Great Plains Certified ASP, Vobix delivers the industry's best financial applications in a hosted environment; Vobix also provides unequalled IT management software that makes the daunting chore of managing servers and applications as easy as a few mouse clicks, enabling ISPs to instantly become ASPs. In short, Vobix takes care of the heavy lifting associated with technology, turning practically any organization's technology into the powerful tool it was meant to be. Vobix is a subsidiary of ManTech International Corporation. For more information, visit www.vobix.com.

About HPC

HPC, a leading southern Indiana Internet service provider based in Bedford, began networking in 1997. In 1999, HPC began providing Internet access and services to residential and business customers, with specialties ranging from dedicated T-1 lines and ISDN to networking, Web hosting and fast 56K dial-up. HPC serves several counties in Indiana including Lawrence, Orange and Martin, and supports networks throughout southern Indiana, as far north as the Bloomington area. HPC is a subsidiary of Hoosier PC Wholesale, Inc. For more information, visit www.hpcisp.com.