Vobix Certified to Host, Resell Microsoft's New SharePoint Team Services; Managed Technology Company Plans to Offer New Software Through ISP Partners

Business Wire, Nov 27, 2001

Business & High-Tech Editors

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 27, 2001

Vobix Corporation, a managed technology provider, announced this week it is now certified to host and resell Microsoft SharePoint Team Services, a new team Web site solution that is designed to significantly improve the way companies manage information and activities.

Vobix earned its Web Presence Provider certification, which is needed to resell SharePoint, through Microsoft effective Nov. 15, and will begin marketing the hosted version of the product through Internet Service Provider (ISP) reseller partners immediately.

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.

"Microsoft has created an exceptional Web-based collaboration piece that helps corporate teams work in tandem and be more productive," said Jeff Biggs, Vobix chief technology and information officer. "SharePoint Team Services lets you create a Web site that can serve as the central repository of all project information -- documents, tasks, discussions, contacts, meeting notes or anything else.

"What we've done is design a unique way for companies who need these services -- and other Microsoft applications as well -- to use it without having to pay for it up front or install and maintain it themselves. By getting Team Services through us, all they have to do is order it and pay for it monthly just like they do with their Internet access."

Vobix plans to deliver the software using its Managed Application Platform with Advanced Provisioning, an original Vobix software management application that enables ISPs to provide hosted software in addition to Internet access. The first such company authorized to sell hosted SharePoint through Vobix is HPC Internet Services, an ISP in Bedford, Ind. Through market research and focus groups, Vobix learned that most ISPs agree that SharePoint would be a highly successful hosted product to sell to their business end users. Other business applications, including Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Office, are also available through ISPs via the Vobix platform.

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 Microsoft FrontPage and SharePoint Team Services

For more information about these Microsoft products, visit http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/.>

COPYRIGHT 2001 Business Wire

COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group