Avanade Recognized by IDG'S Computerworld as One of the Best Places to Work in IT

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - June 15, 2009) - Avanade, a business technology services provider, today announced that it has been selected as one of the top workplaces for information technology (IT) professionals. IDG's Computerworld chose Avanade -- at number 87 -- for this honor as part of the IT publication's 16th annual Best Places to Work in IT survey, published in the June 15 print issue.

Computerworld's annual "Best Places to Work in IT" has ranked the top 100 work environments for technology professionals since 1994. The ranking is based on a comprehensive corporate questionnaire regarding company offerings in categories such as benefits, diversity, career development, training and retention for the company's IT staff. In addition, this year Computerworld surveyed more than 27,000 IT workers for the list. Their responses factored heavily in determining the rankings.

"This recognition of Avanade by Computerworld is particularly gratifying," said Joseph Mendel, executive vice president of Human Resources at Avanade. "The award underscores our long-term vision to create an organization committed to helping our IT staff and consultants worldwide grow professionally and deliver real innovation. We believe Avanade's corporate IT professionals are among the best in the industry. They work among a globally connected team of experts -- what we call the Avanade fabric -- to support Avanade's growth and performance. Additionally, our consultants help solve business issues for customers with applied technologies. This global commitment to helping one another spurs on innovation and ensures fresh perspectives. Our goal is to foster a workplace that challenges people to grow, recognizes success and supports true collaboration."

To support Avanade's career development initiatives, Avanade provides a deep technical curriculum of training and development opportunities, both in-house and through Microsoft. The company pays for all professional certifications. It actively encourages members of its technical community to study for and achieve their professional certifications and expert designations. Recently, the company also deployed a career advancement model, which clearly articulates roadmaps for advancement and career milestones for each individual.

"To be among the Best Places to Work in IT, it's not enough just to seek out and hire the most talented IT people, offer them competitive pay and provide great benefits," said Scot Finnie, editor in chief of Computerworld. "The organizations that made this year's Best Places to Work list sustain a dynamic work environment in which IT professionals keep their hands on the latest technologies and work on projects that are business critical. In the months and years ahead, IT is going to become a key accelerator of business growth."

The results of this year's Best Places to Work in IT are available online at: www.computerworld.com/2009bestplaces.

About Avanade

Avanade provides business technology services that connect insight, innovation and expertise in Microsoft technologies to help customers realize results. Avanade's services and solutions help improve performance, productivity and sales for organizations in all industries. The company applies Microsoft expertise from its global network of consultants, drawing on the right mix of onshore, offshore and nearshore skills, which together are designed to help deliver results faster, at lower cost and with less risk. Avanade, which is majority owned by Accenture, was founded in 2000 by Accenture and Microsoft Corporation and serves customers in more than 20 countries worldwide with more than 9,000 professionals. Additional information can be found at www.avanade.com.

About Computerworld

Computerworld's award-winning Web site (www.Computerworld.com), weekly publication, and focused conference series form the hub of the world's largest global IT media network. In the past five years alone, Computerworld has won more than 100 awards including the Magazine of the Year Award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) in both 2004 and 2006, and the American Business Media's Neal Award for Best Web Site, Best Blogs and Best Article or Series in 2008. Computerworld leads the industry with an online audience of over 2.5 million unique monthly visitors and a print audience of more than 1 million readers each week (IntelliQuest CIMS, Fall 2008). Computerworld also reaches over 10,000 IT executives every year through its high-touch conferences and custom summits.

About International Data Group (IDG)

International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, events, and research company. IDG's online network includes more than 450 web sites spanning business technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment and video games worldwide. IDG also publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers. Media brands are in more than 90 countries and include CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld/TechWorld/TecChannel, Macworld, Network World and PC World. The company's lead-generation service, IDG Connect, matches technology companies with an audience of engaged, high-quality IT professionals, influencers, and decision makers.

IDG is a leading producer of more than 750 technology-related events including Macworld Conference & Expo, OpenSource World, E3, DEMO, Storage Networking World, and IDC Directions. IDC, a subsidiary of IDG, is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services and events. Over 1,000 IDC analysts in more than 100 countries provide global, regional and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends.

Additional information about IDG, a privately held company, is available at http://www.idg.com.

Avanade and the Avanade logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Avanade Inc. Other product, service, or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact Information: MEDIA CONTACTS: Avanade: Charlie Zaragoza (206) 239-5893 Edelman PR: Jessica Kendall (206) 268-2231