HERNDON, Va., March 26, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ePlus inc. (Nasdaq:PLUS) today announced the issuance of a patent for network collaboration through embedded annotations by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
U.S. Patent No. 7,647,373 B2 entitled "System and Process for Network Collaboration Through Embedded Annotation and Rendering Instructions" was issued on January 12, 2010, and the term of the patent has been extended for an additional 1,482 days so that it remains in effect through April 4, 2025, provided that maintenance fees are paid at respective intervals.
The patent covers an innovative technique that makes it easier and more efficient for people to collaborate on documents and Web pages. Unlike prior approaches, ePlus' patented technique does not require the installation of any dedicated collaboration software. Using a Web browser, each user can annotate a base document and then share the annotations with others by transmitting a message containing a special Universal Resource Locator (URL). Embedded in the URL is the location of the base document as well as an encoded representation of the annotations and instructions for the computer's display of such annotations. A recipient of the URL is then able to view in a Web browser the base document with the annotations displayed in substantially the same way as intended by the annotator. Such collaboration processes can be implemented in either a server-client model or a peer-to-peer model.
"The ability for people to effectively and efficiently share ideas and collaborate is at the core of team productivity," said Ken Farber, president of ePlus Systems. "The underlying technology in this patent is a key component of our advanced business applications that allow sharing of critical business information over the Web, such as DigitalPaper XE, which incorporates DirectSight, ViewMark, and DocPak software. These solutions benefit our customers by reducing the time between communications over the Web, enabling more people to participate in the communications, and improving the accuracy of the communications. In common with all of the business solutions we provide, these benefits translate into compliance, productivity, and cost savings."
About ePlus Systems, inc.
ePlus Systems, inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ePlus inc., delivers advanced supply management solutions and services to help companies across all industries get the most value from their spend. ePlus Systems provides on-demand and enterprise solutions including eProcurement, catalog content management, spend analytics and document management solutions to drive cost savings, compliance, and productivity improvements. Its on-demand solutions for eProcurement and catalog content management received unqualified SAS 70 Type II examinations for three consecutive years.
About ePlus inc.
ePlus is a leading provider of technology solutions. ePlus enables organizations to optimize their IT infrastructure and supply chain processes by delivering world-class IT products from top manufacturers, professional services, flexible lease financing, proprietary software, and patented business methods. Founded in 1990, ePlus has more than 625 associates in 20+ locations serving federal, municipal, and commercial customers. The Company is headquartered in Herndon, VA. For more information, visit http://www.eplus.com, call 888-482-1122, or email info@eplus.com.
ePlus®, DigitalPaper®, DirectSight®, ViewMark®, DocPak®, and ePlus products and ePlus products referenced herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of ePlus inc. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of other companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Subject to one or more of the following: U.S. Patent Nos. 6,023,683; 6,055,516; 6,505,172; 6,892,185; 6,182,127; 6,510,459; 7,047,211; 7,185,069; 7,254,581; 7,526,494; and corresponding foreign patents and patents pending.
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements." Actual and anticipated future results may vary materially due to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, possible adverse effects resulting from the recent financial crisis in the credit markets and general slowdown of the U.S. economy such as our current and potential customers delaying or reducing technology purchases, increasing credit risk associated with our customers and vendors, reduction of vendor incentive programs, the possibility of additional goodwill impairment charges, and restrictions on our access to capital necessary to fund our operations; the demand for and acceptance of, our products and services; our ability to adapt our services to meet changes in market developments; the impact of competition in our markets; the possibility of defects in our products or catalog content data; our ability to hire and retain sufficient personnel; our ability to protect our intellectual property; our ability to consummate and integrate acquisitions; our ability to raise capital and obtain non-recourse financing for our transactions; our ability to reserve adequately for credit losses; and other risks or uncertainties detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information set forth in this press release is current as of the date of this release and ePlus undertakes no duty or obligation to update this information.