FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
| Contact: Shelie White P: (916) 921-0883, ext. 3145 E: shellie.white@hansen.com |
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SACRAMENTO, CA, February 1, 2005 – Hansen Information Technologies (Hansen®) today announced that has completed its upgrade to Microsoft Business Solutions' Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution to consolidate financial reporting for its domestic and international operations. After using a variety of other financial accounting systems, Hansen selected Microsoft's Great Plains for use by all its domestic and international subsidiaries.
Founded in 1983, Hansen has grown rapidly to meet the demand for its applications from worldwide central and local governments. Opening its first international subsidiary in Canada (1994), Hansen added wholly-owned subsidiaries in Australia (2001), New Zealand (2002), and the United Kingdom (2003).
"With international software licensing contributing nearly 30% of our total company sales, we could no longer afford to use multiple financial systems to consolidate our financial results," stated Chuck Hansen, Chief Executive Officer of Hansen. "Integration with our existing applications, multi-currency conversion, project management, and certified trainers on staff made Great Plains our best choice. Given that we already support over 150 Microsoft Great Plains installations, resulting from the recent decision to offer a comprehensive ERP solution for Local Governments, I thought it was time to do what we've been recommending to our customers."
Hansen began its upgrade in December 2004 by standardizing its chart of accounts for use by its Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and UK subsidiaries.
"We were well positioned to implement Great Plains in our subsidiaries, given our experience with integrating Hansen's existing applications with Great Plains," stated Scott Pfeiffer, Hansen's Chief Financial Officer (CFO). "After just a few days of training, Australia and Canada were both up and running with test databases, and went live earlier today." In addition to being Hansen's CFO and a Certified Public Accountant, Scott Pfieffer is also certified in the implementation of Great Plains, having managed a number of Great Plains' largest government installations.
Hansen's fiscal year end of January 31, 2005 represents the completion of its third consecutive year since adopting Statement of Position (SOP) 97-2, "Software Revenue Recognition," as amended, and SOP 81-1, "Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production Type Contracts," in accordance with the guidance of its independent accountant, Ernst & Young, LLP. The addition of Great Plains' Project Accounting module has provided the company with the ability to track its projects on a percentage of completion basis, suitable for government software contracts and professional services.