Software Solutions Developer to Boost Workforce with Microsoft Certification

Software Solutions Developer to Boost Workforce with Microsoft Certification Quest Information Systems, a developer of custom enterprise software solutions, announced that it will train more than 40 associates for Microsoft Office SharePoint® certification with the help of a state information technology grant. Quest, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, received $34,000 from the state's Technology Enhancement Certification for Hoosiers (TECH) fund, to implement the Microsoft training to current associates and future hires. "Now more than ever it is important for companies to take the right steps to remain at the leading edge of their industries," said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "We're excited to partner with Quest as they position themselves for future growth." SharePoint is an integrated suite of server capabilities including content and document management, collaboration, information sharing and enterprise search capabilities. Microsoft has sold more than 100 million licenses to the suite since launching it in 2001. In 2008 Quest received SharePoint Deployment Planning Services certification, which allows the company to provide consulting services for the product. "We appreciate the funding and look forward to growth in well-compensated, high-technology jobs," said Quest CEO Steve McNear. "As our clients and Indiana businesses continue to realize the great benefits of SharePoint, we can continue to grow in our knowledge of the technology and in the number of workers to provide the needed services." Founded in 1989, Quest specialized early on in developing custom software for large computer systems. Today, the company's expertise has evolved to a project-oriented provider of internet-based technologies. "We appreciated that Quest was well-managed, they kept to an established timeline and made sure expectations were clear to both sides - ours and theirs. With Quest there were very few surprises and when unexpected situations came up, we worked together well to address them," said Scott Wright, project manager for the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC). Quest recently completed a SharePoint 2007 conversion project for OUCC. More than 71,000 high-tech workers with a total payroll of more than $4 billion were employed in Indiana in 2007, the latest year for available data, according to the March 2009 Cyberstates report released by technology trade association, TechAmerica. About Quest Information Systems Quest, an Indiana based company, is a leader in custom software development, software management, government solutions, IT services and consulting. We satisfy the full range of application needs through comprehensive life cycle services, connecting information, systems, people and processes. Our expertise has resulted in consistent delivery of mission-critical applications that align business software with business strategy. About IEDC Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.