Archer Technologies Attains Gold Certified Partner Status in Microsoft Partner Program

Archer Technologies Further Distinguishes Itself by Earning Microsoft Competencies in Three Categories

Overland Park, KS – December 18, 2006 – Archer Technologies (Archer), a leader in enterprise risk and compliance management solutions, today announced it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with competencies in Business Process and Integration, ISV/Software Solutions and Networking Infrastructure Solutions, recognizing Archer’s expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, Archer has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and proven ability to meet customers’ needs. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the channel.

Archer Technologies is a leading provider of enterprise risk and compliance management software solutions. To address mounting regulatory and industry pressures, Archer enables Fortune 1000 organizations and government agencies to automate, integrate, and manage risk and compliance services, products and processes. Archer’s out-of-the-box, best-practice applications help customers align risk management processes with their overall business objectives, ultimately lowering enterprise risk and enabling them to demonstrate compliance. Already serving 29 of the top 30 financial services organizations and the seven top telecommunications companies in the United States, Archer’s award-winning solutions were recently deemed the #1 in-plan compliance reporting vendor for highly regulated organizations by The InfoPro.

“We are extremely pleased to have attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program,” said Jon Darbyshire, president and CEO of Archer Technologies. “The benefits provided, including support enhancement for Microsoft-related issues and new training opportunities for our product development team, will enable us to strengthen our tradition of providing world-class products and services to our customers–our top priority.”

“Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities,” said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corp. “They need to trust in a company that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, which have certified expertise and direct training and support from Microsoft, can build a positive customer experience with our technologies. Today, Microsoft recognizes Archer Technologies as a new Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology.”

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, Archer had to declare one or more Microsoft Competencies. Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner’s capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution. Each competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the technology industry. Archer obtained three Microsoft Competencies including Business Process and Integration, ISV/Software solutions and Networking Infrastructure Solutions.

The Business Process and Integration Competency is designed for Microsoft Certified and Gold Certified Partners with proven proficiency in implementing and deploying server-based portals for driving Internet commerce and business applications using Microsoft tools and software. Delivering the high levels of reliability and availability needed for business-to-customer Web sites requires not only great technology but also the competency to plan, deploy, support and migrate those solutions. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners enrolled in this competency have demonstrated knowledge of, and experience with, the deployment of Internet-based solutions and infrastructure using Microsoft tools and software.

“Partners play a critical role in delivering solutions to our customers that complement their applications and services,” said Robert Wahbe, general manager of the Connected Systems Division at Microsoft Corp. “The value of solutions competencies is that they allow Microsoft to deliver resources and training to partners, enabling them to better meet the needs of their customers.”

The ISV/Software Solutions Competency recognizes the skill and focus partners bring to a particular solution set. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners that have obtained this competency have a successful record of developing and marketing packed software based on Microsoft technologies.

“Solutions competencies are an important way for Microsoft to better enable ISVs to meet customer needs,” said Sanjay Parthasarathy, corporate vice president of the Developer & Platform Evangelism Group at Microsoft. “They allow ISVs to keep and win customers through their deep knowledge of solutions-based Microsoft platform technologies. Microsoft has a long history of working closely with ISV partners to help them deliver compelling solutions and applications to our mutual customers, and the Microsoft Competencies are an important step in continuing to enhance vital relationships with ISVs worldwide.”

Microsoft Gold Certified Partners enrolled in the Networking Infrastructure Solutions Competency have proved their expertise in implementing technology solutions based on either the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000 Server operating system, with a particular focus on Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 and Windows Small Business Server 2003. These implementations may include crafting solutions that connect Windows-based servers, PC locations and the Internet; installing a server farm; or building a small-business Windows Server stand-alone solution that includes file and print capabilities.

The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in October 2003 and represents Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners’ businesses be successful.

About Archer Technologies

Archer Technologies delivers enterprise governance, risk and compliance (GRC) solutions. With more than six million licensed users and a client list that includes one in four of the Fortune 100, Archer enables companies to manage enterprise risks, demonstrate compliance, automate business processes, and gain visibility into corporate risk and security controls.

Archer’s out-of-the-box solutions, including Policy, Risk, Compliance, Enterprise, Incident, Vendor, Threat, Business Continuity, and Audit Management, are built on the flexible Archer SmartSuite Framework™, allowing clients to tailor the solutions according to their unique requirements. Whether deployed on-premise or via Archer’s SaaS model, the Framework has become a go-to GRC platform for many global organizations.

Archer is the only vendor that delivers the Archer GRC Ecosystem™ comprised of out-of-the-box solutions, a flexible Framework, a robust user community, and an application and partner exchange, which provides clients the tools they need to build a best-in-class enterprise GRC program. For more information, visit www.archer.com or call 1-888-539-EGRC.