Replicon Attains Gold Certified Partner Status In Microsoft Partner Program
Calgary, Alberta, Canada – (November 23, 2005) – Replicon Inc., a market leading provider of web-based timesheets, today announced it has attained Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in both ISV/Software Solutions and Information Worker Productivity Solutions, recognizing Replicon’s expertise and total impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified partner, Replicon has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and proven ability to meet customers’ needs. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
With a growing number of software vendors in today’s market, businesses need a way of quickly identifying the solutions that are right for their business. By achieving Microsoft Gold Certification, Replicon stands out as an expert with Microsoft products and technologies and demonstrates a proven ability to meet customers’ needs.
“Achieving Microsoft’s Gold Certified Partner status immediately sets us apart from our competitors,” stated Raj Narayanaswamy, Replicon’s CEO. “As a Microsoft Gold level partner, Replicon gains direct access to many Microsoft resources, including the latest Microsoft software early in the product development cycle. This allows us to stay abreast of the latest technology innovations in a rapidly changing industry.”
“Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities. They need to trust in someone that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, which have certified expertise and direct training and support from Microsoft, can build a positive customer experience with our technologies,” said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corp. “Today, Microsoft recognizes Replicon as a new Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise in providing customer satisfaction with Microsoft products and technology.”
As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Status, Replicon had to declare a Microsoft Competency. Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner’s capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution. Each competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the technology industry.
Replicon has achieved both the Microsoft ISV/Software Solutions Competency and the Information Worker Productivity Solutions Competency.
“Partners play a critical role in delivering solutions and applications to customers with the Microsoft Office System,” said Jeff Raikes, group vice president of Productivity and Business Services at Microsoft. “The value of Solutions Competencies is that they enable Microsoft to deliver resources and training to partners that are meeting their customer needs. And for partners, the opportunity to highlight their expertise to customers is tremendous in the growing IW solution market.”
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About the Microsoft Partner Program
The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in December 2003 and represents Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners’ businesses be successful.
