Viaken Systems of Gaithersburg, Md., has appointed Michael Provance to head up its global professional services consulting unit.

Provance, who joins Viaken from Internet consulting firm US Interactive, will take over the responsibilities of managing the group from Stephen Gardner, Viaken’s vice president and CTO. Gardner will now focus on Viaken’s data products business and its European operations.

Provance has been charged with developing the professional services group into a profitable business unit, Viaken said.