RALEIGH, N.C. –  Misys Healthcare Systems, a market leader in healthcare IT, announced today it has selected Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ “MSFT”) as the charter winner of Misys’ annual Peak Performance Partner Award. The award recognizes Microsoft as a Misys strategic partner in the movement to improve patient care through advanced technology solutions.

Microsoft was selected from among Misys’ top Strategic Alliance Partners, which were evaluated in the categories of customer service, quality, delivery, technology, growth, cost and profitability. These Strategic Alliance Partners are an essential part of Misys Healthcare Systems' strategy because their services and products are a critical component in customer satisfaction. Microsoft’s selection as the winner of this award represents advances the company is making in working with Misys to improve patient care by offering essential technology products as a complete package.

“Receiving this award confirms the success of Microsoft’s valued relationship with Misys Healthcare Systems,” said Steve Aylward, general manager, health care and life sciences industry, Microsoft. “As government and private initiatives to foster adoption of healthcare IT proliferate, Misys and Microsoft are proud to lead the industry in driving adoption of next-generation technologies like SQL Server 2005, .Net Framework 3.0, and Windows Vista among providers of all sizes.”

"The combination of Misys' leadership position in healthcare and Microsoft's innovative software provides an opportunity to deliver full-featured healthcare solutions that are cost-effective, easy to use, secure and reliable,” said Paul Edge, director of product management, EMR, Misys Healthcare Systems. “Together, Misys and Microsoft anticipate and address increasing demands of the healthcare market. Not only can the collaboration deliver excellent, high quality products but it can also take them to market through direct and indirect channels, as a complete solution bundle, on site or in a hosted model."

Misys implemented the Peak Performance Partner Award and vendor rating system to foster more strategic relationships, stimulate healthy competition and recognize the achievements of Misys’ top suppliers and business partners.  Misys’ Peak Performance Award is an extension of the Peak Performance Organization (PPO) concept, authored in a book, Peak Performance by Mike Pratt, Kevin Roberts and Ed Weymes which mirrors Misys’ dedication to boosting synergy within the industry to drive performance, efficiency and results.

Company Contact: 
Mike Holsinger
Misys Healthcare Systems 
(919) 329-1771

mike.holsinger@misyshealthcare.com         

Media Contact:                            Microsoft Contact :

Maddy Shedno                             Kelli Bravo

Schwartz Communications       Microsoft Corporation
(781) 684-0770                           (650) 453-1079
misys@schwartz-pr.com           kellib@microsoft.com

About Misys Healthcare SystemsMisys Healthcare Systems, a market leader in healthcare IT, develops and supports reliable, easy-to-use software and services of exceptional quality that enable physicians and caregivers to more easily manage the complexities of healthcare. Misys’ family of leading clinical products and Web-based technologies – Misys Optimum™ solutions – are designed from the ground up to share patient data across all medical care settings. Misys Optimum connects community-based physicians and caregivers to the acute care enterprise, enabling increased efficiencies, better decision-making and improved hospital-physician relations. For more information, visit www.misyshealthcare.com.

About Misys plcMisys plc (FTSE: MSY.L), the global software company, is one of the world's largest and longest-established providers of industry-specific software. Founded in 1979, Misys serves the international banking and healthcare industries, combining technological expertise with in-depth understanding of customers' markets and operational needs. In banking Misys is a market leader with over 1,200 customers, including 49 of the world's top 50 banks. In healthcare Misys is also a market leader, serving more than 110,000 physicians in 18,000 practice locations, 1,200 hospitals and 600 home care providers. Through Sesame, a wholly-owned subsidiary, the company is also a leading provider of support services to financial advisers in the UK. Misys employs around 6,000 people who serve customers in more than 120 countries. For more information, visit www.misys.com