Empowered Software Solutions Re-Engineers Young Presidents' Organization Application to Make New Portal Function.

Business & High-Tech Editors

BURR RIDGE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 16, 2002

A partnership between Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), which strives to create better leaders through education and idea exchange, and Empowered Software Solutions (ESS), which strengthens organizations through the intelligent application of Microsoft technology, now has YPO members worldwide communicating effectively.

For YPO - a group made up of leaders from around the globe - an online portal to exchange ideas is critical. To make the portal more effective, YPO had been planning to convert its portal from a Lotus Notes platform to a Microsoft .NET platform. YPO had tried to get the project done itself, but the project ended up with significant problems.

In dire need of a solution, YPO posted a note to a list service dedicated to .NET consulting saying they needed a developer for cleaning up an ASP.NET application for a couple of weeks. ESS contacted YPO and sent consultants to help them out.

"When ESS came on board, the application was incomplete, not engineered and full of bugs, in addition to many other problems," said Keith Franklin, President of ESS. "ESS turned the project around, re-engineering the application to make it work and meet the needs of YPO and its members."

"They were able to come in and allow us to launch our new web site on time and under budget," said Patrick Gallucci, YPO's executive IT director. "We don't have a technical staff on board, so outsourcing is critical. This was our highest member-facing priority, and ESS exceeded our expectations and got it done."

YPO selected ESS because of their technical capabilities in the Microsoft.net platform, Gallucci said. Technologies involved in the solution include: Microsoft .NET Framework, ASP.NET, Microsoft SQL Server 2000, Microsoft Content Management Server 2001, and Microsoft Active Directory.

The choice was a good one as ESS has become recognized nationwide as a premier Microsoft firm. ESS clients benefit directly from the depth of its relationship with Microsoft and the certification of its staff.

YPO's new portal went live at the end of June and now enables members to pay dues, view events and interact with other members through peer-to-peer networking. ESS is now continuing to work closely with YPO to add additional functionality.

Empowered Software Solutions, Inc., is a 40-member professional consulting firm serving the Chicago area. ESS is committed to delivering robust solutions using Microsoft tools and technologies including Microsoft .NET. As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for e-Commerce, ESS boasts the eighth highest number of Microsoft Certified Solution Developers of 14,000 Microsoft Certified Solution Providers reporting nationally. ESS is the founder and host of the Chicago.NET Users Group and is on the board of the International .NET Association. Employees and officers of ESS are regular speakers and presenters at major technology events and are frequent contributors and authors on Microsoft related technologies. Learn more about ESS at www.empowered.com.