SQS Software Quality Systems AG 20 December 2005 For immediate release 20 December 2005 SQS Software Quality Systems AG Demand for IT services continues to rise SQS aiming to take on up to 100 extra consultants London/Cologne, 20 December 2005: SQS Software Quality Systems AG is planning to take on up to 100 extra consultants in 2006. The specialist for software quality management and testing, with operations throughout Europe, is taking this step in response to the significant increase in demand for software management and testing experts. The extra consultants will boost SQS's existing team of around 340 consultants to expand its business and to replace normal attrition. About 60 are expected to be employed in Germany, with the remainder working in the UK and SQS's Swiss subsidiary. A higher number of full time consultants means that SQS can further reduce its reliance on contractors. SQS is seeking new employees with the right profile to be able to provide the services for which demand is strongest. These are primarily test management, test automation, delivery management, project management and outsourcing of quality assurance to "managed test factories". The company is also looking for consultants for software quality assurance in the industrial sector, where development and production of "embedded systems" are the services in greatest demand - particularly in the automotive industry. "It's primarily large-scale enterprises that draw on our consultants' expertise", says Rene Gawron, SQS AG board member responsible for HR matters. "We're seeing that, in particular, companies increasingly value our role as an independent appraiser on IT projects." For further information please contact: SQS Software Quality Systems AG www.sqs.de Rudolf van Megen (CEO)/Rene Gawron (CFO) +49 (2203) 91 54 0 Evolution Securities Limited 020 7071 4300 Jeremy Ellis/Mike Read Smithfield 020 7360 4900 Sara Musgrave Print resolution images are available for the media to view and download from www.vismedia.co.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange