Tampa, FL – September 6, 2005 – Pilgrim Software, Inc., the leading provider of Enterprise Compliance and Quality Management Solutions, announces that the Orlando-based Florida’s Blood Centers has selected Pilgrim’s SmartSolve solution to standardize and automate quality and compliance processes.

Florida’s Blood Centers’ recent acquisition of South Florida Blood Bank doubled the size of Florida Blood Centers’ organization. Connecting the sites will allow standardized processes and Pilgrim’s solutions provide the needed improvement from their manual operations and management. Their purchase of SmartCAPA, SmartDoc, SmartAudit and SmartTrain and the Validation Packs is the beginning of the initiative to streamline their organization between sites.

“Due to our recent expansion with the addition of South Florida Blood Bank, we need systems that help us better manage our compliance and quality processes” states Anne Chinoda, President and CEO of Florida’s Blood Centers. “With Pilgrim’s web based SmartSolve solution, we are looking to bring the out-lying teams together. We also expect to provide company-wide visibility of the information collected through SmartSolve to support and promote continuous improvement.”

Pilgrim’s web-based electronic system will standardize and automate processes and reduce the amount of paper used in tracking these processes. Florida’s Blood Centers will also realize cost savings with the Validation Packs as well as expedite the validation process.

Pilgrim’s SmartSolve solutions are the most complete system available for blood services organizations to cost-effectively meet compliance and regulatory challenges. Built on Microsoft .NET technology, blood organizations are provided with an integrated approach to functional challenges including error/deviation management, document management and regulatory submissions. Training and certification, quality assessments, equipment management as well as supplier quality are also handled electronically. 

“We are pleased to have been selected by Florida’s Blood Centers as their enterprise compliance and quality solution,” states Prashanth Rajendran, Pilgrim’s Chief Operating Officer. “SmartSolve web-based solutions are assisting many blood agencies here and abroad in maintaining a safe and adequate blood supply.”


About Florida’s Blood Centers
Florida's Blood Centers (FBC) was established in 1942, shortly after the start of World War II. During its 60 years, FBC has consistently provided the communities it serves with a safe and adequate blood supply. Today, FBC is the sole supplier of blood and blood products to 70 healthcare facilities in a 21-county area. With its 875 employees, 125 volunteers, 39 locations, 44 mobile units, and five portable collection equipment sets, the not-for-profit 501(C3) organization provides more than 360,000 units of blood and blood products each year—donated entirely by volunteers. FBC remains the largest blood bank in Florida and one of the nation’s larger blood providers. For more information about Florida’s Blood Centers, visit their website at www.floridasbloodcenters.org.


About Pilgrim Software, Inc. 
Pilgrim Software, Inc. is the leading provider of Enterprise Compliance and Quality Management solutions for global organizations and is one of only 12 strategic Microsoft Independent Software Vendors (ISV) within the manufacturing vertical. Pilgrim helps organizations manage industry and regulatory compliance, reduce manufacturing costs and improve customer satisfaction. By providing live connections to multiple sites, suppliers and customers, Pilgrim enables organizations to centrally manage all of their worldwide compliance efforts and quality operations – providing real-time visibility tied to fast action. The results are a lean, performance-driven enterprise that can respond to change with speed and power. For more information, visit Pilgrim Software’s Web site at www.pilgrimsoftware.com.