Applied Systems’ Two Data Centers Meet SAS 70 Standards for Data Security

University Park, IL (March 24, 2003) – Applied Systems, Inc. announced today that the Internet data centers which host Applied’s ASP management systems, TAMCentral and VisionCentral, meet auditing standards developed by the American Institute of Public Accountants in its widely recognized Statement on Auditing Standards No. 70 (SAS 70).

The SAS 70 audits, performed by third party accounting or auditing firms, certify that both the Chicago-area Internet data center, owned and operated by AT&T, and the Denver, CO, E|Solutions Center, owned and operated by Sprint, maintain high security standards and effective controls and processes.

According to Wayne Pardue, Executive Vice President of Applied Systems, “By choosing the hosting services of world-class providers such as AT&T and Sprint that meet SAS standards, we ensure that our ASP customers may use our products with confidence in the security of their data.”

“While some vendors elect to use their own data centers to reduce cost,” Pardue continues, “Applied Systems believes the benefit of the SAS 70 compliant data centers provides a value that doesn’t equate to dollars and cents. For our customers, it comes down to the best solution for protecting their business.”

Patricia Traynor, Vice President, Hosting and Managed Services for AT&T, states: “SAS 70 certification in our Chicago-area Internet Data Center is further proof of AT&T’s dedication to providing hosting and other managed services in a secure environment, assuring predictable performance for our clients. By choosing AT & T, Applied Systems shows a commitment to providing its customers with the highest level of data security.”

Kurt Gastrock, Vice President, Sprint Hosting Solutions, remarks, “There is a misconception that all data centers are created alike. Our Colorado Sprint E|Solutions Center, one of 10 Sprint has opened across the country, enables performance with the unsurpassed reliability needed for mission-critical applications. ”

“We are extremely pleased that both data centers that host our products meet these high security standards to provide our ASP customers peace of mind,” states Pardue. “With security a heightened concern for everyone these days, this is invaluable.”

About Applied Systems: Applied Systems is the leading provider of automation solutions for the property and casualty insurance industry. Since 1983, the company has developed software for independent insurance agents, brokers, managing general agents, and insurance companies, as well as banks and other financial institutions with insurance operations. Applied has helped more than 10,000 clients achieve new levels of success using its leading management systems, The Agency Manager® and The Agency Manager® Vision Series™. Other innovations such as The Diamond System™, a policy processing system for insurance carriers, and developments in electronic data interchange also have contributed to Applied Systems’ position as the industry’s technology frontrunner. Combined with its consulting services and third-party integration, Applied Systems automates insurance transactions at every level of distribution, from customer to carrier. More information: www.appliedsystems.com.

About AT & T: AT & T is among the premier voice, video and data communications companies in the world, serving businesses, consumers, and government. The company runs the largest, most sophisticated communications network in the U.S., backed by the research and development capabilities of AT & T Labs. A leading supplier of data, Internet and managed services for the public and private sectors, AT&T offers outsourcing and consulting to large businesses and government. The company is a market leader in local, long distance and Internet services, as well as transaction-based services like prepaid cards, collect calling and directory assistance. With approximately $37 billion in revenues, AT&T has relationships with about 50 million consumers and 4 million business customers, who depend on AT&T for high-quality communications. AT&T has garnered several awards for outstanding performance and customer service.

About Sprint: Sprint is a global communications company serving more than 23 million business and residential customers in more than 70 countries. With 80,000-plus employees worldwide and more than $26 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state of the art network technologies, including the United States’ first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network. Sprint’s award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone is being extended to key global markets to provide customers with a broad portfolio of scalable IP products. Sprint’s high-capacity, high-speed network gives customers fast, dependable, non-stop access to the vast majority of the world’s Internet content. Sprint also operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of the nation’s metropolitan areas including more than 4,000 cities and communities.