SHARE recognizes ISPW BenchMark Tech Ltd. as inaugural winner of SHARE Excellence in Technology Award

SHARE Inc. today announced that ISPW BenchMark Technologies Ltd. has been awarded the 2001 SHARE Award for Excellence in Technology Award. The award recognizes exceptional use of enterprise-class IBM technologies among SHARE's 2,300-plus member organizations. SHARE President Lillian Cooper of Honeywell FM&T presented the award this morning in front of more than 3000 attendees during the opening session of SHARE in Long Beach.

The selection of Calgary, Alberta-based ISPW BenchMark Technologies Ltd as the first winner of this award was based largely on the innovative Internet-based product development, marketing, and customer support techniques the company utilizes to achieve business results. With a staff based literally around the globe, ISPW BenchMark Technologies Ltd. uses the Internet and IBM technologies like WebSphere Studio, DB2 and Lotus discussion databases to their full potential to deliver and support their product suite. The "virtual" nature of the ISPW BenchMark business model was a significant factor in the judging committee's decision making process, as was the influence SHARE has contributed to ISPW BenchMark Technologies Ltd.'s success.

"SHARE is proud to recognize ISPW BenchMark Technologies Ltd. as a leading partner in fulfilling SHARE's three-pronged mission of education, professional networking, and Information Technology industry influence," said Cooper. "In addition to a proven demonstration of technical expertise, ISPW BenchMark Technologies Ltd. represents many of SHARE's best qualities, most notably in terms of their interaction with fellow SHARE members, openly sharing solutions in SHARE technical sessions, and helping to manage SHARE projects."

"ISPW BenchMark is pleased and honored to be recognized by SHARE for our unique way of doing business." said Christina McGill, President of ISPW BenchMark Technologies Ltd. "We wish to thank our many friends at SHARE for their generous ideas that we've put to serious use in working with our customers, staff and distributors. We also want to thank IBM for its excellent PartnerWorld for Developers program that we heard about some years ago at SHARE. As a software vendor facilitating IBM's products such as DB2 and WebSphere, our job would be almost impossible without SHARE's technical sessions and IBM's great PartnerWorld program. We look forward to continuing this mutually beneficial relationship for years to come."

About the winner

Formed in 1986, ISPW BenchMark Technologies Ltd. specializes in helping large computer installations manage complex application development and delivery cross platform.

About SHARE

SHARE is an independent, volunteer-run association providing IBM customers with user-focused education, professional networking, and a forum to influence the Information Technology (IT) industry. Since 1955, SHARE has enabled IT professionals to achieve business results through a combination of credible, relevant programs and peer interaction opportunities. SHARE currently counts more than 2,300 organizations among its active member ranks. Additional information about SHARE can be found on its Web site at www.share.org.

About the SHARE Award for Excellence in Technology

The SHARE Award for Excellence in Technology was created in the year 2000 to recognize outstanding achievement in Information Technology by a SHARE member. Nominations were reviewed by a volunteer judging panel comprised of practicing IT professionals. The judging panel included Susan Dineen, Vice President and General Manager of Arius3D Inc.; Mike Loos, Consulting IT Specialist, IBM Corporation; Frank Rozenweig, Director of IT Strategies, Catapault Technologies; and Martin Timmerman, Group Director of Production Support, IST Department, University of Waterloo. ISPW BenchMark Technologies Ltd. is the inaugural winner of the award.