TORONTO, Ontario, March 31, 2005 – Caro Systems, a Toronto-based enterprise application development consulting firm whose clients include CBS, CanWest Global, Warren Shepell, CIBC, WSIB and Weekenders, announced today that it has been certified as a Rational Value Added Partner (VAP) by IBM. Caro is one of the first companies in Canada to be certified under the Rational program, which IBM launched in January 2005.

Caro has been working in the Rational environment for over eight years. We believe that the Rational Unified Process is the most effective approach to software development, especially now that companies are implementing loosely coupled services-oriented solutions. Caro leverages the Rational methodology and tools to accelerate development of quality enterprise software. We’re pleased to be among the first companies in Canada with this certification.”

Caro was also one of a small group of Canadian-based partners in the Rational SME (Subject Matter Expert) Business Partner Education program in 2004. In addition to the VAP for RUP and Requirements, Caro has also been approved as a value added partner in one other category, application design and construction with the Caro Rapid Development Proof of Concepts. Caro consultants have the technical certifications from IBM across the breadth of Rational offerings required to improve the effectiveness of the application development lifecycle.

“We’ve been very impressed by Caro’s comprehensive approach to application development,” said Rod Phillips, CEO of Warren Shepell. “Their enterprise modeling assessment is an excellent vehicle that has helped motivate our organization with a common understanding and a clear sense of priority. It’s no surprise that Caro is breaking ground by being one of the first companies certified in Canada.”

About Caro Systems Inc.
Founded in 1997, Caro Systems provides application development consulting for financial institutions, major retailers, media companies and others. CaroWorks SOA framework is integrated with IBM’s RUP (Rational Unified Process) methodology. Flouting the truism that 70% of application development projects fail, Caro has a 100% success rate in its projects. Caro’s client list has included CBS, Purolator, Consumer’s Gas, WSIB, CIBC, CanWest Global, Sun Microsystems and Warren Shepell.

-- 30 --