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2005 News Archives Mind Over Machines
Sells Network Services Division to Hunter Solutions BALTIMORE, MD – December 15, 2005 - Mind Over Machines, Inc., an information technology solutions provider to government and commercial accounts, announced today that the Company has sold its Network Services Division to Hunter Solutions, Inc., a New Jersey-based provider of network support services and related technology consulting. Acquisition discussions began after the two companies were well-entrenched in an operations alliance in which Hunter provided services to Mind Over Machines' clients. As a result of the early success of that arrangement, Hunter tendered an offer to acquire the division outright. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Venable LLP, based in and around Washington, D.C., served as legal counsel for Mind Over Machines on the transaction. As part of the agreement, Mind Over Machines is exiting the network services business and Hunter is absorbing the former Mind Over Machines staff and more than 100 accounts that the division has serviced over the years. Mind Over Machines plans to strictly focus staff and resources on expanding its software application development and systems integration business. Mind Over Machines will also have an exclusive arrangement with Hunter to handle all applications development projects for its business customers. "Selling the Network Services Division marks a strategic milestone for Mind Over Machines in that it enables us to fully devote all of our time and resources to our core business in software and web application development," said Ron Monford, President and CEO, Mind Over Machines. "Our recent successes in the government and commercial markets can now be leveraged in ways that will enable us to achieve exponential growth. We are delighted with the skills, professionalism and organization that Hunter brings to the market and are confident that the Mind Over Machines clients will be impressed with Hunter's qualifications, experience and customer-centric approach. This is a winning deal for us, for our clients and for Hunter Solutions." "We are enthusiastic about acquiring the Mind Over Machines division and view it as an important step in facilitating our own strategic plan that calls for geographic expansion through both organic growth and through outright business acquisitions," said Ivo Allen, President, Hunter Solutions. "Our early alliance provided a perfect platform to enter the Maryland market and our acquisition now allows us to build on that initial success and to broaden that client base." About Hunter Solutions, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mind Over Machines Announces Exclusive
Operations Alliance for Network Services with Hunter Solutions BALTIMORE, MD – October 25, 2005 - Mind Over Machines, Inc., an information technology solutions provider to government and commercial accounts, announced today that the Company has formed an exclusive operations alliance with Hunter Solutions, Inc. of New Jersey, which will enable it to focus staff and resources completely on expanding its business in the Application Development Group. To accomplish this, Hunter will take the lead on delivery of all network services consulting, expertise and support to both current and new Mind Over Machines' clients. In addition, Mind Over Machines will handle any and all applications development projects for Hunter's current and new accounts under the alliance. Hunter Solutions provides a full suite of information technology offerings with dedicated expertise in the areas of networking services, in addition to proficiency in IT consulting and web development. The company's team of professionals in the Network Solutions group provides system design, hardware procurement, software configuration, implementation, training, and support services for both computer and telecommunications networks. Their extensive networking experience ranges from handling small, departmental LANs to large, distributed enterprise networks and communication systems. "This alliance with Hunter Solutions provides an efficient way for Mind Over Machines to devote more time and resources to our core business in software and web application development while ensuring that clients requiring network services receive full, state of the art attention," said Ron Monford, President and CEO, Mind Over Machines. "We are impressed with the qualifications and depth of experience that Hunter offers in this area of specialization, and fully expect that they will bring a new level of service differentiation, strength and attention to these accounts." "Mind Over Machines has a widespread reputation and long list of satisfied clients that rely on it for network services," said Ivo Allen, President, Hunter Solutions. "This alliance offers a significant growth opportunity for Hunter in the Maryland market by enabling us to leverage their name recognition and broad client base." In 2005, Mind Over Machines won several new application development projects for government accounts such as the Department of Health and Human Services, and commercial accounts such as Calvert Schools and Watermark Cruises. The Company recently increased its staff in this division to accommodate the new business and anticipates further new hires before year-end. About Hunter Solutions, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HHS Awards $1.2 Million Contract
to Mind Over Machines BALTIMORE, MD – August 16, 2005 - Mind Over Machines, Inc., an information technology solutions provider to government and commercial accounts, announced today that the Company has won a contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Program Support Center (PSC) to provide database administration, operations support, and help desk services for the agency's web-based Integrated Time and Attendance System (ITAS.) The total two and a quarter year contract is valued at more than $1.2 million dollars. The PSC installation of ITAS is an enterprise-wide application that supports diverse management and technical needs across HHS' multiple operational divisions and geographic locations. The system supports approximately 26,000 employees. Under this new contract, Mind Over Machines is responsible for the successful operation of critical processes at each pay period close. The Company also will assess existing capacity and bottleneck issues and optimize the system – including database and application servers and hardware and network configurations – for performance and availability. In addition, Mind Over Machines staff will deliver Level 2 customer support, leveraging an in-depth understanding of Federal Government time and attendance requirements and the ITAS application itself. Mind Over Machines has nearly four years of direct ITAS experience involving system development, conversions, upgrades and Level 3 support. Multiple staff members received National Institute of Health (NIH) Merit Awards for the successful conversion of the initial client-server version to a web-based system. And many have remained involved in ITAS projects, including development of the current J2EE-based version being deployed both at the NIH and at PSC. "Mind Over Machines' in-depth knowledge of the ITAS database infrastructure will prove extremely valuable in our ability to provide superior technical support services," said Ron Monford, President and CEO, Mind Over Machines. "We bring an unmatched understanding of ITAS workings and business rules that drive our ability to optimize system performance and reliability, provide effective help desk support, and ultimately increase user satisfaction and agency productivity." . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mind Over Machines Integrates Dual Reservations Systems for Annapolis Tours & Watermark Cruises of Maryland BALTIMORE, MD - July 18, 2005 - Mind Over Machines, Inc., an information technology solutions provider to government and commercial accounts, announced today that the Company has delivered an integrated reservations system for Annapolis Tours & Watermark Cruises. The new system consists of a combination of the original Watermark booking system for cruises and the development of a new, automated booking system for the local, historical walking tour operator—Annapolis Tours—that recently merged with Watermark. Previously, Annapolis Tours relied on a manual, paper-based system. Now, using one combined automated system, reservations agents can easily and seamlessly provide a complete destination management approach to clients seeking an ensemble activity package in the Annapolis area. The new, integrated system went live on April 1st and has been successfully handling both public and private tour requests for both land and water. Nearly 26,000 people to date have booked tours through the new reservation system. "Mind Over Machines staff took a tremendous interest in our business processes surrounding our tour bookings, and essentially became part of our operation as we went through the planning process," said Wendy Thomas, Director of Marketing, Annapolis Tours & Watermark Cruises. "At every step of the project, Mind Over Machines looked for efficiencies in how we operate and made some excellent suggestions. We couldn't have found a more responsive partner for this important project than Mind Over Machines." "We take great pride in offering a business-oriented solutions approach to every IT project we undertake," said Ron Monford, President and CEO, Mind Over Machines. "This formula ensures that our clients will not only receive a completed system that meets their satisfaction, but in many cases, they are pleasantly surprised by how it exceeds their expectations. We are enthusiastic about the positive response we have received from the principals at Annapolis Tours & Watermark Cruises, and look forward to our continued working relationship." Watermark plans to do a major upgrade to the reservations system for the 2006 season that will add new features and capabilities for both the internal agents who rely on it, as well as clients and prospects who use the Watermark website to gather information about the tour offerings. Mind Over Machines has already begun the requirements gathering phase of the project. About Annapolis Tours & Watermark Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mind Over Machines Assists in Implementing Wireless Functionality for NIH's Integrated Time and Attendance System BALTIMORE, MD – June 30, 2005 - Mind Over Machines, Inc., an information technology solutions provider to government and commercial accounts, announced today that the Company supported the National Institutes of Health (NIH) technical team in delivering a wireless capability for the NIH's enterprise-wide Integrated Time and Attendance System (ITAS). With access to this capability, NIH employees will be able to use their Blackberry handheld devices to perform many popular time and attendance functions. This wireless capability provides another way to access and execute key tasks in ITAS, which is currently available via the web and the NIH Portal (intranet). ITAS, a Federal timekeeping system, allows NIH Federal employees to track and report time and attendance and leave activities. It supports approximately 18,000 NIH employees and the majority of the operational divisions in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Now, NIH employees who use a Blackberry can carry out such required activities as requesting days off, while managers can approve subordinate's leave requests, approve subordinate’s timecards, and request leave for themselves. This important wireless service helps to ensure that timecards are approved on time so employees get paid on time. Further, it accommodates those personnel – from scientists to lab chiefs to executive managers - who spend a good deal of time in a non-traditional office setting yet still need to engage in the timekeeping approval process. "This is an exciting, state-of-the-art addition to the NIH time and attendance enterprise system, providing enhanced ease of use, flexibility and convenience for employees," said Ron Monford, President and CEO, Mind Over Machines. "This wireless capability will enable both managers and subordinates to perform required tasks in a more productive manner, taking advantage of the widely-accepted and utilized Blackberry device." The Mind Over Machines technical team, working hand-in-hand with Federal technical personnel, used Java APIs for the wireless functionality to ITAS. Additionally, in November 2003, a number of Company software developers on the ITAS technical team were recognized with the NIH Award of Merit in recognition of their exemplary work on ITAS. Wireless access to ITAS is available to users with Blackberry Models 7.x and 6.x. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mind Over Machines Wins Contract to Re-Design
and Upgrade E-Commerce Offering for Calvert School BALTIMORE, MD - May 4, 2005 - Mind Over Machines, Inc., an information technology solutions provider to government and commercial accounts, announced today that Calvert School of Baltimore, MD – the first formal home-school curriculum provider in the U.S. – has selected the Company to redesign and upgrade the e-commerce capabilities offered on its website. Calvert School has a unique website dedicated to helping families provide home instruction to their children. For nearly 100 years, children have used Calvert's pre-kindergarten through eighth grade curriculum as the foundation of their early educational experience. Under the new contract, Mind Over Machines will create a new user interface for the Calvert online store that will match the look and feel of the school’s current website. The goal is to provide a seamless transition from the information-rich presentation of course materials described on the site, to the actual online shopping features that enable parents around the world to order and pay for those products and teaching aides. Mind Over Machines won the original contract more than three years ago
to re-engineer and launch the enhanced online, web-based store for Calvert
School. "The partnership with Mind Over Machines enables us to better serve our families' needs online," said Steven M. Brown, director of technology at Calvert School. The Company's project team will utilize the Microsoft .NET programming environment and the Microsoft SQL 2000 database engine. A special "off the shelf" open source framework called DotNetNuke will also be used in the redesign. About Calvert School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mind Over Machines Announces Alliance
with Thomas & Herbert Consulting LLC BALTIMORE, MD - April 6, 2005 - Mind Over Machines, Inc., an information technology solutions provider to government and commercial accounts, announced today that the Company has entered into an alliance with Thomas & Herbert Consulting, LLC (T&H), a premier provider of government information technology and management consulting services. Together, the two companies plan to leverage their individual technology strengths and core competencies as they jointly target business opportunities at the Department of Health and Human Services. T&H, founded in 1996, delivers enterprise architecture (EA), systems development and integration, e-Gov solutions, managed services, business transformation, and program management support for federal, state and local government agencies. The company's portfolio of Federal clients includes major contracts with the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Housing and Urban Development, US Army, and the Defense Logistics Agency, among others. In 2004, T&H was named by Inc. Magazine, Washington Technology, and DiversityBusiness.Com as one of fastest growing companies in the United States. "By creating a team approach to providing technology solutions to the Federal government, we immediately multiply the individual skill sets and experience that each of us brings to market, not only expanding our overall opportunity but further enhancing the value of those combined services to the customer," said Ron Monford, President and CEO, Mind Over Machines. "We are excited about the tremendous synergy with T&H and welcome the expertise they offer as truly complementary to our core IT focus. Together, we are better positioned to capitalize on more small business opportunities than if either of us pursued them individually." Initially, the companies plan to participate in joint marketing activities focused on the organizations and institutes within the Department of Health and Human Services. Mind Over Machines has had a long-term business relationship with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and last year won a five-year contract with NIH for IT services. Within the past year, T&H has delivered IT consulting services for the US Food and Drug Administration and The Children's Inn at NIH. "We recognize the value of teaming relationships as a means to differentiate our consulting solutions to the government market," said Rodney E. Thomas, Co-founder and CEO of T&H. "We look forward to working together with Mind Over Machines as we strategically seek ways to grow our respective companies through collaboration." T&H, headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, is a veteran-owned company with the following small business certifications: 8(a), HUBZone, and small disadvantaged business. About Thomas & Herbert Consulting LLC |