TOP SOFTWARE CONSULTING FIRM, THE RAND GROUP, TO OPEN OFFICE IN AUSTIN

February 24, 2006- Austin, Texas - The Rand Group (TRG), a Microsoft Gold Partner and leading provider of Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) Great Plains, Navision, Solomon, and MS CRM software solutions, announced today it will open an office in Austin.

TRG will offer a full range of business technology services to the Austin clients, including implementation and support of MBS solutions and .NET application development services.

Ray Cole, vice president and partner in charge of business development at TRG, will oversee operations in the new office. After spending three years as a business owner representing Microsoft products, Cole comes to the firm with more than 20 years experience in enterprise resource planning including time with Andersen Consulting and Price Waterhouse.

The Rand Group, the No. 1 Texas-based Microsoft combined Great Plains and Navision vender as ranked in Accounting Technology's Value-Added Reseller listing, earned the Gold Partner status by demonstrating expertise in both MBS and Information Worker. Less than four percent of Microsoft partners have been awarded that designation, a fact that company President Ron Rand said translates to significant benefits for clients in Austin.

"Gold Partner Certification demonstrates our commitment to exceptional client service and finding specific technology solutions that meet customers' unique business operations demands," Rand explained. "We believe strongly there is a market for a company like ours - a firm that is both a business consultant and a technology expert - and we look forward to helping clients in Austin take competitive advantage of Microsoft's software solutions."

Microsoft representatives agreed about the potential of the Austin area - and on The Rand Group's ability to capitalize on that potential.

"We don't award Gold Partner status arbitrarily," said Microsoft's Matt Woodward. "Obviously, companies must have competencies in our products. But at the same time, they must demonstrate a consistent pattern of business 'wins' and customer satisfaction. The Rand Group has done that, which puts it in a strong position in Austin."

In addition to its proficiency in Microsoft products, The Rand Group has also received a 100 percent customer satisfaction rating, placing it in the top five percent of all Microsoft solution providers nationwide.

"This is a great opportunity to bring Austin the unique business solutions offered by The Rand Group," Cole said. "I have joined a team whose unmatched level of experience and expertise will give tremendous benefits to clients in this area."

ABOUT THE RAND GROUP, LLC
The Rand Group is the No. 1 Texas-based Microsoft combined Great Plains and Navision partner as ranked in Accounting Technology's Value-Added Reseller listing. Based in Houston, it combines expertise in the areas of accounting, business process, and information technology to deliver business solutions that maximize efficiency and create measurable results for clients' technology investment. TRG's team of Certified Public Accountants, Microsoft engineers and developers, and service professionals combine to drive solutions that integrate people, proven processes, and technology to help build better blueprints for business success.

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