Avanade Recognized by IDG'S Computerworld as a Top IT Employer

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - Jun 20, 2011) - Avanade, a global business technology services provider, today announced that it has been selected as one of the top workplaces for information technology (IT) professionals by IDG's Computerworld. Avanade was recognized for its benefits program and engaging professional environment, as well as the development and growth opportunities the company provides its global workforce.

"Though we provide technology solutions, it's the capability of our people that determines our success as an organization. We make it a priority to create a workplace environment where employees can acquire industry-leading skills," said Chris Miller, chief information officer at Avanade. "We provide a wide range of learning and development programs and opportunities with the latest technology for Avanade's IT team. This helps our professionals write the innovation stories that others will read."

The Best Places to Work in IT survey has ranked the top 100 work environments for technology professionals since 1994. This year's 18^th annual list was based on questionnaire results regarding company offerings in categories such as benefits, diversity, career development, training and retention. Avanade was previously recognized by Computerworld's Best Places to Work in IT survey in 2009.

Avanade offers a unique set of benefits for its IT professionals, including award-winning training and professional development programs, access to 100 online expert communities and Rapid Readiness boot camps to help technologists quickly get up to speed on the latest technologies. The commitment to career-long learning is also supported with a focus on offering at least 80 hours of paid skills development and training for employees each year. Avanade also works to foster a healthy work-life balance among its IT professionals. For example, the company provides a lump-sum fund to employees each year, which they can access for purchases supporting personal growth and activity; such as a gym membership, photography classes or the latest gadgets to stay ahead of the technology curve.

"Creating a workplace that encourages and trains IT personnel and all of our staff to become the best at what they do to help our customers succeed is at the top of our agenda," said Joseph Mendel, executive vice president of human resources at Avanade. "This recognition from Computerworld reinforces our commitment to our customers to have the best trained professionals working together to help customers realize results."

"To be among the Best Places to Work in IT, it's not enough to seek out and hire the most talented IT professionals, offer them competitive pay and provide benefits," said Scot Finnie, editor in chief of Computerworld. "Smart IT people realize that they need to get up to speed on their employer's revenue opportunities. The organizations that made this year's Best Places to Work list are creating a work environment that both trains and encourages IT personnel to pursue business-driven priorities."

This recent award adds to Avanade's growing list of global recognitions as a best place to work. This year the company was also acknowledged on the United Kingdom's 50 Best Workplaces for 2011. Other recognitions include the CRF Top Employer award in Belgium, France, Italy and Spain as well as the Minneapolis Star Tribune Top Workplaces award, which recognized Avanade for its work environment and extended benefits program.

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

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 12,000 professionals. Additional information can be found at www.avanade.com.

About Computerworld
Computerworld is the leading source of technology news and information for IT influencers worldwide, providing peer perspective, IT leadership and business results. Computerworld's award-winning Web site (http://www.computerworld.com), bi-weekly publication, focused conference series and custom research forms the hub of the world's largest (40+edition) global IT media network. In the past five years alone, Computerworld has won more than 100 awards, including Magazine of the Year by American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) awards in 2010, the 2009 Best Blog from the Neal awards, and 2006 Best Overall Web Publication from ASBPE. Computerworld leads the industry with an online audience of over 3.5 million unique, monthly visitors (comScore Media Metrix, August 2010). Computerworld is published by IDG Enterprise, a subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading media, events, and research company. Company information is available at www.idgenterprise.com.