Harris Corporation Wins $2.4 Million Contract to Transition Veterans Benefit Administration's Rating Board to All-Electronic System

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Highlights:

• Modernization is key step toward a fully paperless benefits system for veterans
• Solution will expedite ratings process and deliver benefits more quickly to veterans
• Company's expertise in service-oriented architecture (SOA) and automation is key to win

Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS), an international communications and information technology company, has been awarded a one-year, $2.4 million contract by MED Trends, Inc., to support the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) as it transitions to an all-electronic ratings platform.  Modernization of the legacy Rating Board Automation (RBA) 2000 solution is a key step towards automating the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS).

VBA is an organization within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provides benefits and services to veterans and their families.  RBA 2000 assists VBA ratings specialists in preparing decisions on veterans' benefits claims.  The current system requires personnel to print hard-copy versions of each claim as part of the benefits decision and delivery process.  Harris will enhance the RBA 2000 solution by developing and integrating a web-enabled platform that seamlessly incorporates the system's current services and determination rules to expedite the ratings process and deliver benefits more quickly to veterans.

"With the rise in the number of veterans seeking benefits, it is critical that the VBA transition to an electronic, paperless system that reduces both time and costs," said Jim Traficant, vice president and general manager, Harris Healthcare Solutions.  "Harris is supporting the VBA in its mission to provide benefits in a responsive and timely manner to those who have served our nation."

In 2009, the VBA received more than one million claims – a record-breaking amount that continues to increase.  By transitioning the VBMS solution toward a stable and scalable technology infrastructure, the VBA can more efficiently handle this major influx of veteran benefit claims.

As part of the RBA 2000 modernization process, Harris will build the following enhancements:

• A web-enabled system that allows ratings specialists to access claims online;
• A SOA that enables other services to be easily added to the platform; and
• An extensible and transparent rule engine that incorporates hundreds of rules that the RBA uses to govern the rating of benefit claims.

Harris Healthcare Solutions provides secure enterprise intelligence solutions and services for government and commercial customers — including systems integration, intelligent infrastructure, advanced visualization and display, enterprise digital content management and IT solutions.  A leader in federal healthcare IT integration, Harris products, systems and services improve healthcare outcomes by assuring that critical medical and benefits information is delivered with security and privacy to the right person, on the right device, at the point of care.

About Harris Corporation

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets worldwide.  Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists.  Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services.  Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements about the expected value of the program to Harris are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Harris Corporation

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