July 30, 2008 –Dublin, Ohio

Affiliated, a technology solutions provider based in Dublin, Ohio, was recognized by Microsoft Corporation as the US Central Region 2008 Partner of the Year for Small Business Transformation. This award recognizes how a partner’s efforts have has changed a small or mid-sized business by leveraging technology to positively address their business challenges.

“We place tremendous value on our partners, like Affiliated, who help us deliver solutions and applications to customers,” said Mark Kornegay, Central Region general manager for managed partners for Microsoft’s Small and Midmarket Solutions and Partners (SMS&P) group. “Microsoft is happy to acknowledge Affiliated for their great contributions and achievements.” Microsoft’s US central region comprises 14 states and over 5,000 partners.

Affiliated was nominated for this award for its work with a growing 27 member specialty physician practice in Columbus, Ohio. Affiliated was asked to assist with improving their organizational and operational efficiencies. The practice serves two of Central Ohio's major hospital systems and more than 2,000 referring physicians with a variety of standard and specialty radiology solutions. The strategic plan Affiliated created for the radiology practice included a solid infrastructure, collaboration applications, business applications, and a support structure that allowed the Practice to implement the solutions and support the business for the physicians and professional staff.

The results of implementing the Microsoft-based solutions for this radiology practice have met or exceeded the goals established by the practice executives. This solution has made the practice more efficient and effective; improved the quality of life of the physicians by giving them access to information and communication that they did not previously have; and allowed the practice to improve the quality of care provided to patients by improving the speed at which results are shared to the medical practitioners themselves.

“The award reflects a tremendous amount of effort from our staff and trust from our client”, said Michael J. Moran, Affiliated’s President. “ We appreciate that Microsoft recognized the value that this solution provided to both our client and their customers and are happy to see the success of those efforts and that trust”.
About Affiliated, we help our clients identify, evaluate, and implement solutions using new and existing technology to improve operations and increase revenue. Affiliated’s management consultants, developers, and infrastructure engineers have extensive experience helping clients get the most out of their business processes and technology platforms. We have the knowledge and experience to help you determine and implement the strategies to make your organization more profitable and you more successful.

For more information, please contact Matt Kranstuber, mkranstuber@aresgrp.com or call (614) 889-6555.