Press Releases

EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA — Upside Software Inc., an integrated enterprise solution provider, announced today the signing of an agreement with the Government of Alberta (GOA) for the purchase and deployment of Upside Software's enterprise contract management eBusiness product - UpsideContract.

UpsideContract streamlines the contract management process beginning with the issuing of RFX (e.g. RFP – Request For Proposals), contract creation, negotiation and awarding through to on-going monitoring and performance tracking as well as contract renewals and amendments. The software can help organizations streamline their operations and reduce related expenses by up to 80%. The demand for contract management software is growing steadily. According to Goldman Sachs, the market for contract management software sales will hit $3.1 billion US by 2005. As organizations understand the incredible return on investment (ROI) opportunities resulting in contract management software implementations, the software popularity will increase even more.

"The selection of Upside Software's Contract Management module by the GOA is a great win for us and will set the standard for public sector organizations in North America – the GOA is a leader in eGovernment – that we are confident others will follow" said Upside Software CEO, Ashif Mawji.  Mr. Mawji went on to say, "The GOA is a great organization to work with: they have a solid vision and are determined to be as efficient as possible. With this success, we can now approach governments in BC, Ontario, the other provinces as well as the Federal government and other levels of government. I believe Alberta is the first public sector organization (of this calibre) to undertake implementing an electronic contract management solution and so, the rest of the public sector can benefit in the same way."

"We are committed to building a contract management system that ensures effectiveness and fairness.  We have a solution -- and even better that it was pioneered right here in Alberta," said Alberta Human Resources and Employment Minister Hon. Clint Dunford.

"This is really great news for Edmonton and Alberta.  It speaks volumes about the skill and diversity Edmonton companies have to offer" said Hon. Mark Norris, Minister for Alberta Economic Development.

Upside Software products will be implemented at the GOA in three stages, with the first stage rolling out the application at Alberta Human Resources & Employment by March 31^st, 2002 and then subsequently to four other Ministries during the 2002/2003 Government fiscal year (phase two). Phase three will offer the software to the remaining ministries of the GOA.

About the Government of Alberta (GOA)

The Government of Alberta is comprised of 23 distinct departments (Ministries) and has over 20,000 employees. Alberta is the only province in Canada where there are no provincial sales taxes. As well, with one of the lowest tax rates, Alberta is a thriving province known for its forward thinking and highly efficient government that supports the business community. Kananaskis, Alberta will be the host of the 2002 G8 Summit. For more information, please see www.gov.ab.ca.

About Upside Software Inc.