Sustainable Public Financial Management

FreeBalance President & CEO joins Advisory Board of leading cybersecurity software company

Ottawa, Canada (June 27, 2011) – FreeBalance, a global Government Resource Planning (GRP) software company, and AuthenWare®, a leading cybersecurity software provider, today announced that FreeBalance President & CEO, Manuel Pietra has joined the AuthenWare Advisory Board. Manuel Pietra is a global executive with more than 25 years of successful information technology management experience from companies in the United States, Canada, Europe, South Africa, and Latin America. Mr. Pietra recently won the 2011 Next Generation Executive of the Year Award sponsored by the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI).

“We are pleased to have Manuel Pietra join the AuthenWare Advisory Board,” said Tom Helou, President and COO of AuthenWare. “Manuel’s extensive professional experience and public sector domain expertise will be invaluable to support the continued growth of AuthenWare.”

FreeBalance integrates the AuthenWare identity authentication software to provide government customers with a robust security solution that practically eliminates the risk of identity theft when users logon to the web-based FreeBalance Accountability Suite. The integrated FreeBalance AuthenWare solution helps GRP customers prevent identify thefts and web fraud by rendering phishing and key logging attacks useless.

“It is an honour to join the AuthenWare Advisory Board,” said Manuel Pietra, President & CEO at FreeBalance. “AuthenWare technology delivers a seamless layer of strong security to prevent cyber threats and user ID theft. Governments around the world are faced with increasing pressure to protect the integrity and security of public data. Authenware provides an innovative cost-effective solution to this challenge.”

AuthenWare technology offers a radically different approach towards handling security by securing information access through keystroke dynamics and rendering any stolen credentials useless. It accomplishes this through a proprietary protocol that creates and maintains a unique personal security pattern for each user every time that he or she enters data using the keyboard (for example, their user name and password). By doing so, AuthenWare technology delivers the highest levels of security without the need for any additional hardware or to store any personally identifiable information (PII).

FreeBalance software solution are being used by governments in 19 countries, including Antigua & Barbuda, Afghanistan, Canada, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Mongolia, Namibia, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Southern Sudan, Timor-Leste, and Uganda among others. FreeBalance software manages more than a quarter trillion ($US) annual budgets worldwide. More than 70,000 users around the world use FreeBalance software to manage a global civil service workforce of 1,500,000.

About AuthenWare
AuthenWare® Corporation is a leading cybersecurity software innovator focused on fighting identity theft. The Company’s tokenless 2-factor authentication system delivers strong security through a combination of keystroke dynamics, behavioral and environmental characteristics to minimize identity theft, web fraud and other system vulnerabilities. The AuthenWare solution creates a unique personal security pattern that recognizes authorized users while keeping hackers out. AuthenWare is headquartered in Miami, FL, with offices around the world. Tens of millions of people use the company’s products every day in a variety of industries, including financial services, government, healthcare, telecommunications and online retailers. For more information, visitwww.authenware.com.

About FreeBalance
FreeBalance helps governments around the world leverage robust Government Resource Planning (GRP) technology to accelerate country growth. FreeBalance software solutions for public financial and human resource management support reform and modernization to improve governance, transparency and accountability. Good governance is required to improve development results. For more information, visit www.freebalance.com.

About Manuel Pietra, FreeBalance President and CEO
Manuel Pietra is a global executive with more than 25 years of successful management experience from companies in the United States, Canada, Europe, South Africa, and Latin America. As President and CEO of FreeBalance, Mr. Pietra leads global growth strategies and customer engagement. Mr. Pietra has transformed FreeBalance into a customer-centric and socially responsible company. Mr. Pietra won the 2011 Next Generation Executive of the Year Award sponsored by the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI). His leadership and vision also led the company to win the prestigious 2009 Canada Export Achievement Award.

Manuel Pietra has held executive positions on the boards of several international companies and actively participated in the venture capital arena. Mr. Pietra has participated in several successful IPO’s in the USA, Europe and South Africa and presently is a board member for the International Consortium on Government Financial Management (ICGFM).

Mr. Pietra is multilingual and graduated in Business Management from the South African Institute of Management. He often speaks at high profile investment seminars and technology conferences across the world in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French.

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Doug Hadden, VP Products

“I hope he doesn’t tell us that shared services is a good thing”, one exasperated public servant said to one of my colleagues. That didn’t seem to bode well. My presentation on shared software services in government at the FMI PSMW 2011 conference was slated for the last breakout sessions prior to closing. That’s not usually a good time slot to expect attendance. And, there were choices.

The room filled to capacity. There seemed to be hope in the air – hope that unlike the previous vendor presentation, it would not be about the vendor. And, hope on my part to get the presentation working. (Conference computer not able to read the more recent PowerPoint format, our computer not able to save in the old format  because of a registry setting, presenter view not working with wireless mouse on Vista, and AV system not set.)

As you can see from the embedded file, there was 83 slides and the presentation took around a half an hour.  (Notes pages included, so you can get the full benefit of the content.)

Shared Services Skeptics

No, it was not yet again a vendor presentation trying to convince a skeptical group on the benefits of ERP or GRP shared services. There’s something disturbing in that much of the advocacy of shared services comes consulting firms and software vendors. Evidence is anecdotal in most circumstances. The theme of reducing cost through reducing workforce seems to have the best evidence. Objectives of agility, efficiency and transformational power appear very hard to achieve. Many users find that the opposite happens.

Some speakers urged government organizations to consider shared services and other IT initiatives that could improve efficiency and citizen engagement.

What’s the Problem with Shared Services?

Shares services have dipped to what the Gartner Group calls the “the trough of disillusionment”. Technology analysts suggest that shared services can fail because of poor project governance. Frankly, I don’t buy the idea that shared services benefits can be resuscitated by project management 101. (Don’t get me wrong, governance is important to align needs across many government organization. But, this isn’t the magic pill it’s made out to be.)

We’re at the first generation of shared services in government. The second generation contrasts with the first similarly in how Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) of today differs from Application Service Providers (ASP) of the late 90′s. Examples include:

• Gen 1: rigid systems, Gen 2: ease of configuration and change
• Gen 1: client/server software with web front-end, Gen 2: web-native software
• Gen 1: single tenant, Gen 2: multi-tenent

Shared Services Done Right

Most of our international customers use FreeBalance software as a shared service. These governments did not have rich functionality in the previous generation of software. So, migration has not been an important issue. However, change has been. These governments leverage GRP for reform, so systems modernize rapidly. That’s why the FreeBalance software overcomes many shared services technical limitations.

So, the presentation did show shared services support. Just not oversold.

James Elrick, PR Specialist

Congratulations to the Government of Antigua & Barbuda.

Good article from 15 June 2011 on the CARIBARENA Antigua website titled, “Treasury Centralizes Payroll Processing“. The article describes how the Antigua & Barbuda Treasury Department has successfully added all weekly-paid government employees to its automated payroll system, effectively centralizing payroll processing. Automating payroll improves governance through electronic funds transfer rather than cash payments. It provides more effective decision information on improving capacity by showing costs and civil service talent. Civil service expenditure is often the highest cost in many government departments, so it has become critical to automate civil service management to improve efficiencies. You can read the full article here.

Accountant General Dr. Gittens of Antigua & Barbuda said “complete payroll automation would bring a number of advantages, including a more secure payroll process, the ability to accurately track employment in the government system, and production of a comprehensive list of government employees.”

Antigua & Barbuda uses the FreeBalance Accountability Suite as it modernizes the payroll system. The article mentions that, “The automation began five years ago with monthly paid established workers and pensioners being added to the payroll module of FreeBalance, the government’s integrated financial management system.”

This process eliminates the need for manual preparation of salary sheets and improves the Government’s record-keeping by ensuring the timely payments of all workers, after making the appropriate deductions. It provides improved linkages between the strategic outlook, planning and the allocation of scarce financial resources in Antigua & Barbuda. It also consolidates Government accounts at various commercial banks, strengthening the Treasury Department’s ability to better monitor its cash accounts. Elimination of manual preparation of salary sheets enables Government employees to focus their time and efforts on strategic projects and less on administrative duties. And, re-deployment of government human resources and accounting expertise to other ministries, departments, and agencies strengthens capacity and financial management leadership. The FreeBalance Accountability Suite also provides audit trails and reports with the ability to identify the originator of each transaction.

What’s also interesting are the people’s comments at the bottom of the article. If the comments signify anything, it is that the people/citizens are supportive of the initiatives the government is taking to reduce fraud, improve efficiencies and focus on important things. 

As the article says, it has taken time to collect and input all the data required. But the good news is that it appears the data is close to being finalized. So now all the hard work will begin to pay dividends. Great news!

This summer, LitWorld is bringing the power of story to hundreds of young people from Kenya to Harlem, and they need your help! Please note that the deadline is fast approaching as donations are being accepted until 6/30/2011. Visit the Amazon wishlist at http://tinyurl.com/litworlddrive

 LitWorld is calling out to the community to help by donating books and school supplies as they embark on two important summer missions: 

KENYA
On July 8, 2011, members of the LitWorld team are headed to Kenya to visit our partners at the Children of Kibera Foundation. LitWorld works very closely with the Children of Kibera Foundation’s Red Rose School, where we run programs such as the Girls Clubs for Literacy Project. The Red Rose School is a beacon of hope for the children of Kibera, and is a positive learning environment providing education for children who are HIV/AIDS orphans.

HARLEM
Starting this summer, LitWorld will set up the Story Power Camp project, a summer reading enrichment program for the youth of the Children’s Village, Polo Grounds Community Center. The Story Power Camp aims to engage young people in reading and writing through fun, interactive activities, while encouraging each participant to boldly share their personal stories. The Children’s Village works in partnership with families to help society’s most vulnerable children so that they become educationally proficient, economically productive and socially responsible members of their communities. 

FreeBalance has supported LitWorld in the past by participating in World Read Aloud Day in 2011 and 2010, a wonderful event that promotes community bonding by reading aloud together. This event brings attention to the importance of literacy for human development. And as FreeBalance has offices and employees around the world, we read aloud to children in local schools, SOS Children’s Villages, and orphanages in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic; Dili, Timor-Leste (East Timor); Guatemala City, Guatemala; Kampala, Uganda; Lisbon, Portugal; Ottawa and Montreal, Canada; Prishtina, Kosovo; Ramallah, Palestine; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; and Washington, D.C., United States.

To contribute to the LitWorld Summer Book Drive, view their wishlist via Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/litworlddrive. Please note donations are being accepted until 6/30/2011.

2011 FMI workshop to explore “Integrity, Innovation, and Intelligence” theme

Ottawa, Canada (June 13, 2011) – FreeBalance, a For Profit Social Enterprise (FOPSE) software company that helps governments around the world to leverage robust Government Resource Planning (GRP) technology to accelerate country growth, will be presenting and exhibiting at the Financial Management Institute (FMI) of Canada Public Sector Management Workshop (PSMW) 2011. The PSMW Workshop will be held in Edmonton, Alberta from June 13-14, 2011. The PSMW event complements the FMI national development program and emphasizes local and regional themes with a hands-on approach. Experts in public sector management will share innovations and identify challenges and issues in the government financial management community.

Doug Hadden, Vice President, Products at FreeBalance will present “We can’t get there from here: Shared Services Technical Migration and Governance” on Tuesday, June 14, 1:15-2:00 p.m. in Salon 12. This presentation describes how to migrate from departmental budget, financial and human resources to a centralized shared service. It will also discuss unique departmental needs and roadmap to compliance, and lessons learned in shared services initiatives and proper governance structure. Attend the presentation or visit FreeBalance at booth #8 to learn more.

“The PSMW 2011 theme is well aligned with the FreeBalance vision of using GRP shared services to achieve efficiencies and improve service delivery,” said Manuel Pietra, President & CEO of FreeBalance. “The FreeBalance Accountability Suite Version 7 has been designed specifically to overcome government shared services challenges. This innovative technology covers the entire budget cycle including budget preparation, budget execution and civil service management.”

The FreeBalance Accountability Suite Version 7 supports hosted GRP Shared Services. Governments can host GRP functionality centrally, leverage private sector hosting facilities and integrate centrally and self hosted applications. Benefits of FreeBalance GRP Shared Services include:

• Mission: optimize mission effectiveness through agile deployments, consistent citizen-facing systems, ease of reform and modernization
• Consolidation: optimize systems costs by eliminating duplication, reducing power consumption, centralizing management
• Predictability: optimize change and compliance costs through standardization, simple cost and growth models, improved security, controls and disaster recovery

The FreeBalance Accountability Suite is one of the most widely deployed financial management systems inside the Government of Canada. More than 50 government departments and agencies use FreeBalance software for enhanced public financial management. FreeBalance software manages more than 50 billion ($CAD) annual budgets within the Government of Canada. More than 25,000 users in Canada use FreeBalance software to manage a workforce of over 125,000.

FreeBalance is also active in 19 countries, including Antigua & Barbuda, Afghanistan, Canada, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Mongolia, Namibia, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Southern Sudan, Timor-Leste, and Uganda among others. 

About the Financial Management Institute of Canada
The Financial Management Institute of Canada (fmi*igf) is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit volunteer association, founded in 1962. What started out as a small group of senior federal government accountants meeting around a lunch table to discuss issues of financial management and the role of financial advisors within government has grown to thousands of members, both within and outside the public sector, all working to improve the financial management of all levels of government across Canada. For more information, visit www.fmi.ca. 

About FreeBalance
FreeBalance helps governments around the world leverage robust Government Resource Planning (GRP) technology to accelerate country growth. FreeBalance software solutions for public financial and human resource management support reform and modernization to improve governance, transparency and accountability. Good governance is required to improve development results. For more information, visit www.freebalance.com.

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Describes how Integrating Donor and Recipient Government Financial Systems Enables Aid Transparency

Ottawa, Canada (June 8, 2011) - FreeBalance, a For Profit Social Enterprise (FOPSE) software company that helps governments around the world to leverage robust Government Resource Planning (GRP) technology to accelerate country growth, has published a white paper titled “Aid Transparency Integration: The Integration of Donor and Recipient Government Financial Systems.” This white paper will be presented as part of the Aid and International Development Forum (AIDF) in Washington, June 8-9. Visit FreeBalance booth #311 to learn more.

The FreeBalance white paper describes how integration between donor and government financials systems reduces transaction costs and corruption through automation. This improves efficiency and effectiveness by data harmonization. The white paper also details how manual methods of integration compromises data quality and timeliness resulting in less coordination and less effective aid. It reveals that tracking disbursements from donors and payment by recipient governments does not show progress, so aid transparency and effectiveness can be improved by following the commitment cycle used in government commitment accounting. And, the white paper advocates the use of program budgeting by all aid stakeholders for timely reporting and ease of integration with project documents.

FreeBalance-Integrating Country Systems: A White Paper

“The integration with donor and recipient financial systems is a key enabler for aid transparency. Transparency and accountability are dominant themes in governance and are key factors to improve aid effectiveness,” said Manuel Pietra, President & CEO of FreeBalance. “Integration can be accomplished with aid management, budget preparation and budget execution systems. Government Resource Planning systems can seamlessly be integrated and support the International Aid Transparency Initiative standards.”

The FreeBalance Accountability Suite is a Government Resource Planning (GRP) solution that supports transparency and accountability. FreeBalance solutions for governments and external aid projects and funds simplify administration and reduce transaction costs for government or private organizations managing aid projects. The FreeBalance Accountability Suite automates reporting to donors, project finance management, and project performance management. The FreeBalance solution operates in developing nations around the world, including low-capacity countries, and providing effective donor reporting that meets international standards.

FreeBalance is active in 19 countries, including Antigua & Barbuda, Afghanistan, Canada, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Mongolia, Namibia, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Southern Sudan, Timor-Leste, and Uganda among others. FreeBalance software manages more than a quarter trillion ($US) annual budgets worldwide. More than 70,000 users around the world use FreeBalance software to manage a global civil service workforce of 1,500,000.

About FreeBalance 
FreeBalance helps governments around the world leverage robust Government Resource Planning (GRP) technology to accelerate country growth. FreeBalance software solutions for public financial and human resource management support reform and modernization to improve governance, transparency and accountability. Good governance is required to improve development results. For more information, visit www.freebalance.com.

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Participates in Make Aid Transparent campaign

Ottawa, Canada (June 8, 2011) - FreeBalance, a For Profit Social Enterprise (FOPSE) software company that helps governments around the world to leverage robust Government Resource Planning (GRP) technology to accelerate country growth, is joining the Global Campaign for Transparency, organized by Publish What You Fund. The campaign launches on June 8 and culminate at the High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, Korea in early December. The first petition handover will take place in July at the OECD DAC meetings in Paris.

As described by Publish What You Fund, the organization, “is working with a global coalition of civil society organisations united in the call for greater aid transparency. We will send a strong message to donors that they must act. Central to the campaign will be a petition urging governments and other donors to make their aid more transparent. In addition, we will provide a toolkit, which includes short animation explaining the issue, an on-line tracker monitoring and comparing donors’ progress, joint letters and other advocacy and media materials.” To learn more and sign the petition, visitwww.makeaidtransparent.org.

“FreeBalance is a strong proponent of aid transparency and the use of country systems,” said Manuel Pietra, President & CEO of FreeBalance. “Transparency and accountability are dominant themes in governance and are key factors at reducing corruption. Government transparency creates participation and confidence. Oversight improves government efficiency and effectiveness, strengthens capacity, and budget execution.”

The FreeBalance Accountability Suite is a Government Resource Planning (GRP) solution supporting transparency and accountability. FreeBalance solutions for governments and external aid projects and funds simplify administration and reduce transaction costs for government or private organizations managing aid projects. The FreeBalance Accountability Suite automates reporting to donors, project finance management, and project performance management. The FreeBalance solution operates in developing nations around the world, including low-capacity countries, and providing effective donor reporting that meets international standards.

FreeBalance is active in 19 countries, including Antigua & Barbuda, Afghanistan, Canada, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Mongolia, Namibia, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Southern Sudan, Timor-Leste, and Uganda among others. FreeBalance software manages more than a quarter trillion ($US) annual budgets worldwide. More than 70,000 users around the world use FreeBalance software to manage a global civil service workforce of 1,500,000.

About The Global Campaign For Transparency
Make Aid Transparent is a coalition of civil society organisations calling on governments and other donors to publish more and better information about the aid they give. Greater transparency will increase aid’s effectiveness, reduce waste and corruption, and help make sure that citizens in the north and the south are able to hold their governments to account.

About Publish What You Fund 
Publish What You Fund urges donors to disclose their aid information regularly and promptly, and in a standardised format that will be comparable with other countries and accessible to all. We support greater disclosure of aid information in line with the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) Standard and we promote the central importance of aid transparency within international discussions on aid effectiveness and freedom of information. Our campaign for aid transparency focuses primarily on the EU, U.S. and World Bank, as the world’s largest aid donors.

About FreeBalance 
FreeBalance helps governments around the world leverage robust Government Resource Planning (GRP) technology to accelerate country growth. FreeBalance software solutions for public financial and human resource management support reform and modernization to improve governance, transparency and accountability. Good governance is required to improve development results. For more information, visit www.freebalance.com.

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Presentation on Post-Conflict Public Financial Management to highlight 11^th Annual Aid & International Development Forum in Washington, DC

Ottawa, Canada (June 7, 2011) – FreeBalance, a For Profit Social Enterprise (FOPSE) software company that helps governments around the world to leverage robust Government Resource Planning (GRP) technology to accelerate country growth, today announced it will be participating and presenting at the Aid & International Development Forum (AIDF) 2011. AIDF is a world leading forum for humanitarian relief professionals. AIDF focuses on aid effectiveness. The forum takes place from June 8-9 2011 at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C. To learn more about FreeBalance, visit booth # 311.

Doug Hadden, Vice-President, Products at FreeBalance will present “Post-Conflict Public Financial Management” as part of the Developing Finance: Transparency and Good Practice workshop on Thursday 9 June 2011 from 9:30 – 10:30 in Workshop Area A. This workshop looks at the management reconstruction and development relief funds, contributions and good practice. Other panelists include: Andrew Thorburn, Founder, Global Benefits Group Foundation; James Lanning, Director of Acquisitions and Logistics, International Relief and Development; Shruti Shah, Senior Policy Director, Law and Regulation, Transparency International USA; Vineet Luthra, Founder and CEO, Privatin Consulting; and Tim Murphy, Vice President Procurement Transformation Services, Privatin Consulting.

Post-Conflict Public Financial Management

“FreeBalance has developed good practices in Public Financial Management (PFM) transparency for post-conflict and emerging countries that we will share with AIDF attendees,” said Doug Hadden, FreeBalance Vice President Products. “PFM automation helps countries more effectively manage aid and sustain growth through built-in accountability functions.”

The FreeBalance Accountability Suite is a Government Resource Planning (GRP) solution supporting transparency and accountability. FreeBalance solutions for governments and external aid projects and funds simplify administration and reduce transaction costs for government or private organizations managing aid projects. The FreeBalance Accountability Suite automates reporting to donors, project finance management, and project performance management. The FreeBalance solution operates in developing nations around the world, including low-capacity countries, and providing effective donor reporting that meets international standards. 

FreeBalance is active in 19 countries, including Antigua & Barbuda, Afghanistan, Canada, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Mongolia, Namibia, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Southern Sudan, Timor-Leste, and Uganda among others. FreeBalance software manages more than a quarter trillion ($US) annual budgets worldwide. More than 70,000 users around the world use FreeBalance software to manage a global civil service workforce of 1,500,000.

About AIDF
Attended by decision-makers from UN, NGOs, Government and intergovernmental organizations involved in the delivery of aid relief and development programs, AIDF which is now in it 11th year, provides a unique platform to build relations, address aid delivery issues and discuss development challenges. More at www.aidforumonline.org.

About FreeBalance
FreeBalance helps governments around the world leverage robust Government Resource Planning (GRP) technology to accelerate country growth. FreeBalance software solutions for public financial and human resource management support reform and modernization to improve governance, transparency and accountability. Good governance is required to improve development results. For more information, visit www.freebalance.com. 

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Meetings to explore “Towards an Agenda for Inclusive Growth in Africa” theme

Ottawa, Canada (June 6, 2011) – FreeBalance, a For Profit Social Enterprise (FOPSE) software company that helps governments around the world to leverage robust Government Resource Planning (GRP) technology to accelerate country growth, announced that it is attending the Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the African Development Bank Group. The 2011 Annual Meetings will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, at the Lisbon Congress Centre from 09 to 10 June 2011. They will be preceded by technical meetings from 06 to 08 June 2011.

As the premier development finance institution on the continent, the African Development Bank (AfDB) mission is to help reduce poverty, improve living conditions for Africans and mobilize resources for the continent’s economic and social development.

Seminar topics at the AfDB 2011 Annual Meetings include: Launch of the African Economic Outlook; African Financial Markets Initiative workshop; African Governance Outlook (AGO) Session; Roundtable on Sudan; Private Equity in Africa; African Business Financial Opportunities; High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness; and African Women in Business and Finance: Financial Sector Innovation to Spur Growth.

“FreeBalance has successfully enabled public financial management reforms in Africa,” said Manuel Pietra, President & CEO at FreeBalance. “FreeBalance is working in Africa to support government efforts to promote accountability, transparency and performance with the use of Government Resource Planning (GRP) solutions. FreeBalance has successfully rolled out modern public financial management systems in Liberia, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Southern Sudan, and Uganda. Our mission is to help African countries leverage technology to support economic growth and aid development through transparent and accountable financial systems.”

The FreeBalance vision for financial management in governments in Africa aligns well with the 2011 Annual Meeting agenda. The FreeBalance Accountability Suite was designed specifically for public financial management and covers the entire budget cycle including budget preparation, budget execution and civil service management. Countries in Africa that are introducing public financial management reforms require an experienced partner that has repeatedly overcome the challenges of rolling out a modern public financial management system in challenging circumstances. This includes overcoming the lack of physical infrastructure, low capacity, resistance to change and an appropriate sequence to reflect legal reform.

FreeBalance is active in 19 countries, including Antigua & Barbuda, Afghanistan, Canada, Iraq, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Mongolia, Namibia, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Southern Sudan, Timor-Leste, and Uganda among others. FreeBalance software manages more than a quarter trillion ($US) annual budgets worldwide. More than 70,000 users around the world use FreeBalance software to manage a global civil service workforce of 1,500,000.

About the African Development Bank
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group is a regional multilateral development finance institution established to contribute to the economic development and social progress of African countries that are the institution’s Regional Member Countries (RMCs). The AfDB was founded following an agreement signed by member states on August 14, 1963, in Khartoum, Sudan, which became effective on September 10, 1964. The AfDB comprises three entities: the African Development Bank (ADB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF).

About FreeBalance
FreeBalance helps governments around the world leverage robust Government Resource Planning (GRP) technology to accelerate country growth. FreeBalance software solutions for public financial and human resource management support reform and modernization to improve governance, transparency and accountability. Good governance is required to improve development results. For more information, visit www.freebalance.com.

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XII Congreso Interamericano de Seguridad de la Información a llevarse a cabo en Junio 2 en Montevideo, Uruguay

Ottawa, Canadá (Junio 2, 2011) – FreeBalance, una compañía de software comprometida con la participación activa en la comunidad global y la responsabilidad social (FOPSE*) que ayuda a los gobiernos alrededor del mundo a tomar ventaja de la robusta tecnología de la Planificación de Recursos de Gobierno (GRP) para acelerar el crecimiento de los países, anunció que estará presentando y exhibiendo en la conferencia de SEGURINFO 2011 en Montevideo, Uruguay en Junio 2. El evento de SEGURINFO provee in ambiente único para compartir experiencias y evaluar las soluciones a los retos introducidos por los TI profesionales del gobierno.

Durante SEGURINFO, FreeBalance presentará “Seguridad y Control en el Manejo de las Finanzas Públicas en la Era de la Transparencia”. La presentación discutirá las principales tendencias que afectan la seguridad en el gobierno, incluyendo: Ventajas en la Seguridad del Middleware de Open Source, Seguridad en el Acceso a los Datos Almacenados en el Internet, y Tipos de Dimensiones en la Seguridad. FreeBalance también hablará sobre las tendencias en seguridad y las últimas soluciones GRP que han sido implementadas.

Gestión Pública Controles y Seguridad en la Era de la Transparencia

“FreeBalance está complacida de tener la oportunidad de participar en la conferencia de SEGURINFO en Uruguay,” dijo Manuel Pietra, Presidente y CEO de FreeBalance. “Las soluciones para la Planificación de Recursos de Gobierno (GRP) están siendo utilizadas por los gobiernos de 19 países alrededor del mundo para el manejo de billones de dólares en presupuestos anuales. Nuestra misión como compañía es ayudar a los países alrededor del mundo a tomar ventaja de la tecnología para apoyar el crecimiento económico y el desarrollo a través de sistemas financieros transparentes y responsables.”

La Versión 7 del FreeBalance Accountability Suite ofrece una plataforma puramente basada en el web que ha sido optimizada para ofrecer efectividad operacional y tener un despliegue gubernamental rápido. Es ideal para satisfacer las necesidades y requerimientos de los gobiernos con economías emergentes. FreeBalance ofrece opciones flexibles de implementación y una arquitectura orientada al servicio que facilita la integración con los sistemas de información del gobierno. La solución de FreeBalance para la Planificación de Recursos de Gobierno cubre el ciclo completo del presupuesto incluyendo transparencia en el manejo financiero y de recursos humanos para mejorar la gobernabilidad y la confianza.

Las soluciones de FreeBalance están activas en 19 países y manejan más de un cuarto de trillón de dólares en presupuestos anuales alrededor del mundo. Más de 70.000 usuarios alrededor del mundo utilizan el software de FreeBalance para el manejo de una fuerza laboral global de alrededor de 1.500.000 administradores públicos.

*por sus siglas en inglés 

Acerca de FreeBalance
FreeBalance ayuda a los gobiernos de alrededor del mundo a tomar ventaja de la robusta tecnología de la Planificación de Recursos de Gobierno (GRP) para acelerar el crecimiento del país. Las soluciones de software de FreeBalance para la gestión de las finanzas públicas y de recursos humanos apoyan la reforma y la modernización para mejorar la gobernabilidad, la transparencia y la responsabilidad. Buena gobernabilidad es necesaria para mejorar los resultados del desarrollo. Para más información visite www.freebalance.com.

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