CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES TO BENEFIT FROM CGI AND MICROSOFT GBIZ STRATEGY

CGI Group Inc. (NYSE: GIB; TSE: GIB.A) (CGI) and Microsoft Canada Co. have announced the creation of a joint gBIZ go-to-market (GTM) strategy aimed at aiding Canadian municipalities to apply a framework designed to help them surmount the hurdles they face when participating in electronic service delivery (ESD).

“About 80% of Canada’s government services are delivered by the 4,400 or so municipal governments of whom more than three-quarters serve populations of less than 5,000 people,” explained Michael Roach, president, Canada and Europe, CGI. “The majority of these municipalities face limited IT budgets and resources that prevent their citizens from enjoying the convenience and other benefits of online access to government services. By taking advantage of the Microsoft .NET™ web services framework, we are able offer them an alternative to a costly, skills-intensive entry into ESD.”

“We need to eliminate the potential that currently exists for ‘digital divide’ in online government services between Canadians living in our few large urban centres and those in smaller cities and towns,” added Frank Clegg, president, Microsoft Canada. “By collaborating with CGI, we believe we can remove what amounts to a handicap for the majority of Canadian residents.”

The CGI gBIZ solution is a template that expedites the roll out of a broad range of secure eGovernment online transactions. It was developed in CGI’s Single Window Government lab as a collaborative initiative with Service New Brunswick to create a single delivery platform of Government service to that province’s citizens.

The joint gBIZ G™ strategy will involve making available the gBIZ solution through co-development and joint marketing initiatives. CGI will enhance the existing gBIZ solution to run on the .NET web services architecture and work with Microsoft Canada to market the solution in appropriate markets. Microsoft Canada will provide architectural consulting assistance and sales support.

“This initiative by CGI and Microsoft Canada began with a concept designed by Service New Brunswick, the provincial government’s chief provider of government service to the public, to provide more government services to citizens online,” added Premier Bernard Lord. “It further illustrates the progress we are making in embracing innovation and establishing New Brunswick's reputation as a centre of excellence."

“This joint gBIZ G™ strategy is an excellent example of how the Enterprise Alliance between Microsoft and CGI brings benefits to customers of both our companies,” adds Mr. Roach. “I believe this will entrench the strong leadership role CGI has established within the government sector on a global basis.”

“We believe CGI has developed a unique, leading-edge capability and expertise based on their Service New Brunswick successes,” said Mr. Clegg. “They are knowledgeable and well-positioned to address key government needs, which is an excellent complement to Microsoft’s strengths in enterprise-class software and technology platforms and support.”

In addition, CGI and Microsoft Canada are contributing to the international Delta research project in eDemocracy at the Centre for Social Innovation, University of New Brunswick, in Fredericton, N.B. In support of this innovative research into citizen engagement methods and technologies, CGI is providing the use of the gBIZ solution while Microsoft is contributing various software licenses.

About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is the fourth largest independent information technology services firm in North America, based on its headcount of more than 13,000 professionals. CGI’s annualized revenue run-rate totals US$1.3 billion (CDN$2.1 billion). CGI’s order backlog currently totals US$5.75 billion (CDN$9.2 billion). CGI provides end-to-end IT services and business solutions to more than 3,000 clients in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and France from more than 60 offices. CGI’s shares are listed on the NYSE (GIB) and the TSE (GIB.A). They are included in the TSE 100 Composite Index as well as the S&P/TSE Canadian Information Technology and Canadian MidCap Indices.
Website: www.cgi.ca.

About Microsoft Canada Co.
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has eight regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Visit Microsoft Canada’s web site at www.microsoft.ca.

About Service New Brunswick
A Crown corporation owned by the Province of New Brunswick, Service New Brunswick (SNB) is a leading provider of integrated government services through one-stop service centres, over the Internet (www.snb.ca) and toll-free over the telephone. SNB is currently partnering with CGI in bringing the SNB approach to simplifying the delivery of government service to markets around the world. SNB is responsible for real property assessments, and the personal property, real property and business registries of New Brunswick. It is known internationally for its expertise in these areas, and in the development and use of geographic information. The corporation has offices in 35 communities throughout New Brunswick and employs approximately 700 people.

Microsoft and .NET are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

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For more information:
CGI: Jennifer Ratcliff, 416 945-3591
jennifer.ratcliff@cgi.ca
Microsoft: David Chin, Hill and Knowlton, 416-413-4633
david.chin@hillandknowlton.ca
Service New Brunswick: Brent Staeben (506) 444-2207
brent.staeben@gnb.ca