TAMPA, FL – June 9, 2006 – Pilgrim Software, the Tampa-based global provider of Enterprise Compliance and Quality Management (ECQM) software, Wednesday hosted a representative of the Embassy of France during a trade mission to the greater Tampa Bay area.  The meeting with Pilgrim was conducted to provide insight into opportunities in this region for expanding France’s foray into the American medical device manufacturing/technology sector.  Pilgrim is a world leader in ECQM for companies in the medical device and pharmaceutical/biotechnology markets.

Stéphanie Sutton, Attaché for the French Embassy’s Economic Department, came to the Tampa Bay area to gain knowledge of those local businesses engaged in medical device manufacturing and related technologies.  The information Ms. Sutton gathered will educate the French business community about opportunities for trade and investment in this area. 

The Tampa Bay Partnership (TBP), and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, spearheaded the effort by contacting appropriate organizations in each of the seven surrounding counties to meet with Ms. Sutton.  Pilgrim Software was selected as a representative business in Hillsborough County for its in-depth, global view of the medical device industry. 

Maria Hubert, Director of International Affairs for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Committee of One Hundred, said the French Attaché was impressed with the fact that Pilgrim was selected from a multinational group of providers to handle compliance and quality management needs for the French manufacturing giants L’Oreal and Coty.  Ms. Hubert also reported that Ms. Sutton said “Pilgrim’s international experience makes it a natural candidate for additional business opportunities in France and other European markets as well.”

Since its establishment in Tampa in 1993, Pilgrim has pioneered effective, integrated software solutions for highly-regulated Life Science industries, as well as manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace and defense, and other non-FDA regulated industries. More than 300 customers globally, and more than 500,000 end-users, work with Pilgrim every day to meet the diverse challenges of the world’s highly competitive marketplace.  Pilgrim’s products help those businesses centrally manage domestic and international operations to ensure product safety and compliance, reduce manufacturing costs and improve customer satisfaction. 

Nikki Willett, Pilgrim Software’s Vice President of Marketing and Regulatory Products, welcomed Ms. Sutton to Tampa and shared with her Pilgrim’s perspective on establishing cooperative business relationships between French and regional American industry. 

“We initiated a rapport that hopefully will lead to future opportunities for both French and Florida-based interests within the medical device industry,” Willett said.  “As a global company, Pilgrim is always seeking insight into the needs of business prospects worldwide, as well as an accurate view of other nations’ perspectives on our industry.  We firmly believe the Tampa area will see growing ties to the French manufacturing community, and we’re excited to be a resource for this anticipated growth.”

About Pilgrim Software, Inc.   
Pilgrim Software, Inc. is the leading provider of Enterprise Compliance and Quality Management solutions for global organizations. Pilgrim helps organizations manage industry and regulatory compliance, reduce manufacturing costs and improve customer satisfaction. For more information, visit Pilgrim Software’s Web site at www.pilgrimsoftware.com.