Datatel Selects Microsoft SharePoint for Its Next Generation ERP Solution; Technology to Help Datatel Build the Optimum User Experience

Business Wire, Oct 18, 2005

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Datatel, Inc., today announced that it has selected Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server(R) 2003 to be the technology framework from which to build an advanced user experience portal for the company's next generation enterprise resource planning software suite. The new portal will allow colleges and universities to have an extremely user-friendly and familiar view of institutional information across campus. The announcement was made at the EDUCAUSE 2005 annual conference in Orlando, FL, where Datatel is demonstrating a prototype of this new portal in booth #1102.

Datatel, a Certified Microsoft Partner, chose SharePoint Portal Server 2003 because of its ability to integrate information from various sources into one solution, accessible through a single sign-on. SharePoint Portal 2003 technology also allows flexible deployment options and is built on a scalable, highly distributed architecture to enable it to grow to meet the needs of higher education institutions.

"Microsoft is delighted that Datatel chose SharePoint Portal Server 2003 for its user experience development plans," said Gail Thomas, general manager for Education at Microsoft. "This is an excellent example of how we work with our leading ISV partners to develop best-in-class education solutions designed to enhance the overall user experience for all campus constituents."

"This decision by Datatel to work closely with Microsoft to fully support the user experience of future software development is an important part of our critical objective to empower our clients, to offer the easiest and most understandable software interface for their constituents," said Jayne Edge, Datatel's vice president of Strategic Planning and Marketing. "We look forward to extending our relationship with them as a Certified Microsoft Partner."

For more information about this or other Datatel strategic partnerships, please contact Kyran Kennedy, director of Partner Programs: 703.968.4578 or kpk@datatel.com.

About Datatel, Inc.

Datatel is a leading provider of fully-integrated enterprise information management solutions for higher education. Headquartered in Fairfax, VA, the company has more than 650 client institutions throughout North America. For more than 25 years, Datatel has exclusively focused on meeting the needs of colleges and universities, helping institutions operate more efficiently so they may better serve their constituents. For more information, please visit www.datatel.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services, and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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