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Microsoft Names itSynergy President Michael Cocanower a 2006 Most Valuable Professional

Mr. Cocanower Joins Elite Worldwide Technical Community; Honor Follows Recent Recognition in Book Showcasing Small Business Information Technology Experts

(Phoenix, AZ - March 20, 2006) - itSynergy, a leading Phoenix-based information technology (IT) consulting firm, announced today that its founder and president, Michael W. Cocanower, has been honored as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP). MVPs are awarded for their demonstrated technical expertise in a particular Microsoft technology, a willingness to help others and a commitment to technical communities. As an MVP award recipient this year in the area of Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Mr. Cocanower joins a stellar group of only 35 other individuals in this product category from around the world who have demonstrated a willingness to reach out, share their technical expertise with others and help individuals maximize their use of technology.

"Collectively, Microsoft MVPs represent the most active community members from around the world who provide invaluable online and offline expertise and are an inspiration to all of us," said Sean O'Driscoll, Global Director of MVP and Technical Communities at Microsoft. "They represent the voice, strength and value of the community; a voice that is instrumental in how we connect with our customers and provide more value to the marketplace. MVPs are technology's best and brightest and we are honored to welcome Michael Cocanower as one of them."

To recognize the contributions they make, MVPs from around the world have the opportunity to meet Microsoft executives, network with peers in the technology space, position themselves as technical community leaders through speaking engagements, one-on-one customer event participation and technical content development. MVPs also receive early access to technology through a variety of programs offered by Microsoft, which keeps them on the cutting edge.

"I am truly honored to receive the Microsoft MVP award," said Cocanower. "Microsoft has been a tremendous partner for itSynergy. I founded the company with the goal of helping small- and medium-sized businesses use technology to drive bottom-line business results. Microsoft technology is at the foundation of our solutions. Through the benefits gained from the MVP distinction, I look forward to finding additional ways to bring value to our clients."

Making It Big in Small Business
In addition to the Microsoft MVP honor, Mr. Cocanower was recently showcased in the book, Making It Big In Small Business 2006 - Top 15 Successful SMB Consultants Share Strategies and Lessons Learned. Published by SMB Nation Press and based on success stories from IT business owners in the small business space, the book presents candid wisdom about the struggles and common pitfalls of growing an IT consultancy business and how best to avoid them.

As part of his chapter, entitled "The Synergetic Entrepreneur", Mr. Cocanower provides, among other entrepreneurial insight, the following top five tips to business success:

1. Take good care of your family and spend time with them.
2. Marketing is the ONLY difference between you and everyone else BEFORE the customer buys.
3. If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten.
4. Don't forget to spend time away from the business. It is amazing how much more strategic your thinking becomes when you step out of the day-to-day stuff for a while.
5. Take good care of your people. Make sure you know what motivates each of them and help them to achieve that.

To order this book or to obtain additional small business resources, visit www.smbnation.com.

About itSynergy Since its inception in 1997, Phoenix-based itSynergy has empowered small- and medium-sized businesses with strategic information technology (IT) guidance, comprehensive IT infrastructure services, and custom residential construction software solutions that provide distinct competitive advantages. Leveraging the latest Microsoft technology, the company builds, deploys, and supports solutions that improve efficiencies, drive bottom-line results, and enable clients to focus on their core business. For more information, visit www.itsynergy.com or call 602.297.2400 x2004.

Product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.

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