HiSoftware Teams With Microsoft Corporation on Accessibility Initiatives.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CONCORD, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 2002

Companies work together to assist customers in developing

strategies for meeting Section 508 and W3C Accessibility standards

HiSoftware Inc., a leading provider of Web site Accessibility solutions, announced today that it has extended its strategic relationship with Microsoft Corporation and will team on a variety of Accessibility initiatives that will assist customers in developing strategies for accessibility within their organizations.

 -- Microsoft Corporation has just extended a strategic relationship with HiSoftware, originally announced in September of 2001, through which HiSoftware provides a Special Edition of their Web site accessibility checking software, AccVerify SE, at no charge to users of Microsoft FrontPage. For more information please view the full press release: http://www.hisoftware.com/pre ss/MSNEW.html  -- Microsoft Government and HiSoftware are co-hosting a series of seminars and educational sessions for Government customers to assist them in developing strategies for meeting the Section 508 accessibility standards for Government Web sites. They are also working together with System Integrators to provide Section 508 accessibility solutions and strategies for organizations implementing Microsoft Content Management Server(R) and/or SharePoint Portal Server(R).  -- Microsoft Government will be utilizing HiSoftware's newly released AccessibilityWATCH(TM) service, as well as AccRepair(TM) for FrontPage, to enhance the development of accessible Microsoft Government Web sites. 

"Microsoft has long recognized a responsibility to develop technology that is accessible and easily used by all people, including those with disabilities," said Pete Hayes, vice president of Washington, D.C.-based Microsoft Government. "HiSoftware shares our vision of making technology broadly accessible to everyone."

"HiSoftware is committed to providing solutions that will assist developers dealing with emerging accessibility standards and guidelines through the use of evolving technologies. In doing so, we have also tried to create a blue print for "best practices" in accessible Web site design, said Robert Yonaitis, CEO and president of HiSoftware Inc. "We are very pleased to be working with Microsoft Corporation to further these initiatives."

HiSoftware's Web site accessibility verification, repair and monitoring software solutions and services assist agencies in achieving and maintaining accessible Web sites that meet the standards for Section 508 and W3C Priority 1 accessibility guidelines. These solutions, available as desktop and automated server-based applications, help organizations develop long-term strategies to achieve Web content accessibility. They allow multiple users to work collaboratively on Web site accessibility -- resulting in reductions in time and resources allocated to meeting Section 508 standards.

About HiSoftware

Hiawatha Island Software Company Inc. (HiSoftware Inc.) is a leading global supplier of Advanced Search, Web site accessibility, and Web site management solutions for government, corporate, educational, and consumer markets. HiSoftware's solutions are used by organizations to maximize the effective use of their respective corporate intranets and the Internet. The company's solutions promote the effective use of metadata for index, search, and retrieval. Metadata allows document authors, information managers, archivists, and Webmasters to classify, rate, and describe the contents of their documents. The company's solutions are sold worldwide through distributors, corporate resellers, integrators, and direct sales. HiSoftware solutions are also available to federal government customers through the GSA schedule. For more information call HiSoftware's corporate headquarters at 603/229-3055, or visit our Web site at http://www.hisoftware.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.

HiSoftware, AccVerify and AccessibilityWATCH are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hiawatha Island Software Company Inc. Microsoft, Microsoft FrontPage, Content Management Server and SharePoint Portal Server are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Any and all other product and company names mentioned herein are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

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