MicroAge and United Payors & United Providers Complete Successful Deployment of Office 2000.

MicroAge and UP&UP partner as part of advance pilot project

WASHINGTON, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- MicroAge, a global provider of technology services, and United Payors & United Providers (UP&UP) announced the successful deployment of Microsoft Office 2000 as part of Microsoft's Rapid Deployment Program. UP&UP is a national company based in Washington, D.C., serving as a financial and technology interface between health care payors and health care providers.

MicroAge's Washington, D.C., office, a Microsoft Certified Solution Partner, teamed with UP&UP as part of the advanced deployment of Microsoft Office 2000. The project was designed to build the technology infrastructure that will allow UP&UP to launch an aggressive Intranet and Internet program to improve client communications.

All UP&UP staff members must be able to create, access and exchange information easily and effectively with all other members of the organization and be able to reach out and perform the same functions from their desktop with individuals within business partner organizations.

"UP&UP's technological base not only supports its own internal needs but is critical to the success of its business partners. As a result, its technology is continually evolving as it utilizes emerging technologies to support new business opportunities of its own and its business partners," said UP&UP CIO Terrance Knecht. "MicroAge provided the consulting design, engineering and project management expertise we needed to implement Office 2000 efficiently. The rollout of Office 2000 has been faster and less disruptive than previous migrations and allowed us to install applications in a consistent manner. This standardized approach helped us maintain strong growth while managing costs."

As a Microsoft Certified Solutions Partner, MicroAge in Washington, D.C., specializes in Windows 95/98 and Windows NT migrations on the desktop and in Novell NetWare to Windows NT server migrations. MicroAge uses proven industry technical best practices, along with trained project managers, to ensure their clients' success. In addition to managing the project, MicroAge provided consultative design and engineering expertise that ensured the successful deployment.

"Our partnership with Microsoft has been key to our success," said Bob Neeser, Regional Vice President, MicroAge. "This project helped us to demonstrate our expertise in the deployment of Office 2000 as we continue to build our knowledge base. This is a vivid example of how MicroAge can provide technology services to ensure that our clients are getting the most from their technology investment and gain a competitive advantage in their industry."

UP&UP's technological base not only supports its own internal needs but is also critical to the success of its business partners. As a result, its technology is continually evolving as it utilizes emerging technologies to support new business opportunities of its own and its business partners.

"Installing Microsoft Office 2000 now allows us to develop our expertise in advance of launching an aggressive Intranet and Internet program," added Knecht. "Many external clients connect to UP&UP and we are the technology leader for these people. We are rebuilding our national communications grid, including using Intranets and the Internet. As we put the tools in place for our external clients to connect to us, Office 2000 collaborative tools will enable us to do this in a very sophisticated and seamless way."

About MicroAge Technology Services

MicroAge is a leading provider of technology infrastructure services worldwide. With $1.8 billion in revenue for FY 1998, MicroAge is one of the largest systems integrators in the United States. The company delivers distributed computing solutions through ISO 9001-certified, multi-supplier integration services to large and mid-size organizations. The company provides a wide-range of professional technology services, focusing on Procurement Support Services, Desktop Management Services, Professional Services, and Program and Project Management Services. MicroAge supports customers in more than 40 major US markets and provides international support through business partner locations throughout the world. The company is based in Tempe, Ariz. More information about MicroAge can be found at www.microage.com.

About United Payors & United Providers

United Payors & United Providers (UP&UP) serves as a financial and technology interface between health care payors (e.g. insurance companies) and health care providers (e.g. hospitals and physicians) by entering into contractual arrangements designed to produce cost savings and other benefits for payors and their beneficiaries and increased liquidity and improved efficiency in claims submission for providers. Additionally UP&UP's Network Management Services group manages networks utilized by payors and has various strategic alliances with regional health networks that provide financial services and technology solutions to the health care claims process. More information about UP&UP can be found at www.upup.com