TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 19, 2012) - Softchoice Corporation (TSX:SO), Canada's largest IT solutions provider, is thrilled to be named a Best Large Workplace in Canada by the Great Place to Work® Institute. This is the seventh year in a row as Best Workplace, and the first year on the 50 Best Large and Multinational Companies list. Recipient organizations are recognized for creating and maintaining superior work environments built on trust, and are chosen based primarily on employee feedback.

"Being selected for the seventh year is certainly an honour," says David MacDonald, President and CEO of Softchoice. "Our business has grown significantly through transformation over the past few years to meet the evolving technology needs of our customers. Fortunately, this has fueled many opportunities for the personal and professional development of our people."

Fundamental to Softchoice's success and transition over the years is its focus on developing its own people. This has been expedited by utilizing its [ sales centers ] to unleash employee talent. Unlike the perception of a typical call center environment, Softchoice's sales centers are dynamic, fast paced hubs. The company uses them as 'onboarding' platforms that allow employees to learn, adapt and grow - vital to success in the technology business. The strategy has been very successful for Softchoice with more than 26 per cent of its sales center employees receiving a promotion in 2011.

"Our culture is one based upon growing our people," says Maria Odoardi, VP of People at Softchoice. "We want to ensure we offer an environment that acts as an incubator for this growth so that our people stay and build a long-term career path with us."

Softchoice offers leadership and personal [ development programs ] for high performing, high potential employees. The company continues to support [ CSR-related initiatives ], including a green-commute program and an employee-led, philanthropic board called [ Softchoice Cares. ] The Softchoice Cares team is currently on a [ humanitarian mission to Bali ], Indonesia providing technology infrastructure to seven local orphanages, and helping 'bridge the digital divide' on behalf of the roughly 500 orphaned Balinese children.

About Softchoice

As a leading North American provider of technology solutions and services, Softchoice combines the efficiency and reliability of a national IT supplier with the personal touch and technical expertise of a local solutions provider. Softchoice's holistic approach to technology includes solution design, implementation and asset management services, as well as access to one of the most comprehensive and cost-effective technology distribution networks in North America. With more than 1100 employees, Softchoice manages the technology needs of thousands of corporate and public sector organizations across the United States and Canada.

Softchoice stock is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the trading symbol "SO." The common shares of Softchoice are not registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and are not publicly traded in the United States.

About The Great Place to Work®Institute

The Great Place to Work® Institute, Inc. is a research and management consultancy based in the U.S. with International Affiliate offices throughout the world. At the Great Place to Work® Institute, we have been listening to employees and evaluating employers since 1980, to understand what makes a workplace great. We know that the foundation of every great workplace is trust between employees and management. Our ongoing research, measurement tools, and educational services have made us leaders in helping build high-trust workplaces.