Northern Health Authority Selects NOW Solutions as HRIS Vendor of Choice; Partnership Strengthens NOW Solutions' Commitment to Healthcare


FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct 2, 2002 -- NOW Solutions, LLC, a majority owned subsidiary of Vertical Computer Systems, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: VCSY - News), announced that Northern Health Authority in Canada has chosen to introduce and implement emPath(TM) throughout their entire organization.

emPath(TM), a web-based HRIS solution, tightly integrates the organization's human resources and payroll functions. Users have all the information they need at their fingertips to track employee salary and pay details, benefits, skills, absences, performance reviews, as well as fully comprehensive web self-service features.

"The creation of the Authority in late 2001 provided us with the unique opportunity to integrate the many healthcare services across Northern British Columbia. This opportunity also presented us with some unique challenges in managing our human resources and payroll information," says Evelyn Dean, Vice President Human Resources, Northern Health Authority. "Our partnership with NOW Solutions enables us to provide human resources and payroll services to a vast and geographically diverse region in a more cost effective manner. Providing value-added human resources and payroll services to over 6,000 healthcare professionals, from 16 former health organizations into one unified body, is now possible with emPath(TM)."

"We're delighted to be partnering with Northern Health Authority, said Carmelina Uggenti, Vice President Sales & Marketing, NOW Solutions. "One of NOW Solutions' key strengths is the ability to effectively handle these types of opportunities. The value of emPath(TM) and our growing presence throughout North America speaks for itself."

About Northern Health Authority


The Northern Health Authority is responsible for the delivery of health care across Northern British Columbia, including acute care, mental health, public health, addictions, and home and community care. The Authority was introduced in 2001, as part of the provincial government's health care restructuring. It combines 16 former health organizations into one unified body. For additional information, visit Northern Health Authority's Web site at www.northernhealth.ca.

NOW Solutions, LLC, a majority owned subsidiary of Vertical Computer Systems, Inc., is a best-of-breed HRIS and payroll software and business solutions provider. A pioneer in HRIS solutions, NOW Solutions provides the capabilities companies need to manage their ever-changing workplace in the face of today's complex requirements. NOW Solutions is a respected business partner serving hundreds of customers throughout the United States and Canada. NOW Solutions' presence can be found in industries including education, for profit services, healthcare, high technology and communications, insurance, manufacturing, natural resources, not for profit, public sector, retail, transportation, and utilities. NOW Solutions has offices in Fort Worth, San Francisco Bay Area, and Toronto to serve its customers. Information on NOW Solutions and its products can be obtained on the World Wide Web at www.nowsolutions.com.

About Vertical Computer Systems, Inc.


Vertical Computer Systems, Inc. is a multinational provider of Web services, underpinning Web technologies, and administrative software services through its Global Partners System, a worldwide distribution network. Vertical provides Web applications and services targeted at specific market needs in business and government organizations, such as emergency response, news media, procurement, education, ecommerce, and human resources. Vertical also provides underpinning Web and Internet technologies that can be leveraged across all of its target markets. Vertical's software products include the Emily(TM) XML Enabler Agent, ResponseFlash(TM), SiteFlash(TM), UniversityFlash(TM), Newsflash(TM), and the Focal Point Search Engine(TM). For more information on Vertical Computer Systems, visit the company's Web site at www.vcsy.com.

For more information, please contact:
Marianne Franklin
President & Chief Executive Officer
NOW Solutions, LLC
(905) 671-9888
mariannefranklin@nowsolutions.com