Axe Group, leaders in intelligent straight through processing systems that improve the collection, analysis and retrieval of critical information and streamline business processes, today announced it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with competencies in Custom Development Solutions (Web Development Specialization) and Information Worker Solutions (Portals and Collaboration Specialization), recognizing Axe Group’s expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, Axe Group has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and a 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 channel.
An Australian-owned company, Axe Group designs and implements innovative software solutions that boost organizational efficiency and productivity. Since its inception in 1997, Axe Group has developed solutions for organizations across the insurance, finance, and government sectors. Axe Group offers specialized services in enterprise content management, custom application development, systems integration, project consulting services, vendor solutions, open source software and training.
“We are extremely pleased to have attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program, highlighting our commitment to delivering industry-leading solutions that enable organizations to perform more efficiently and be more competitive,” said Kimberley Lathe, CEO, Axe Group. “The benefits provided through our Gold Certified Partner status will enable us to continue developing our capabilities and provide exciting new opportunities for our business to evolve.”
“Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities,” said Allison Watson, corporate vice president of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corp. “They need to trust in a company 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. Today, Microsoft recognizes Axe Group as a new Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise in providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology.”
As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, Axe Group 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. Within select Competencies, there are Specializations that focus on specific solution areas that recognize deeper expertise within that Competency. Serving as a specialized path to earning those Competencies, Specializations give direct access to the tools and resources that support that specific area of focus.
The Custom Development Solutions Competency is designed for technology partners providing custom-built solutions for clients that require value-added capabilities to optimize business opportunities. Designed to provide additional benefit and support to partners specializing in collaboration, portals and other productivity solutions, the Information Worker Solutions Competency is utilized by Gold Certified Partners that provide their customers with solutions built on familiar programs which enable them to better manage, prioritize and collaborate on increasing volumes of information. Partners that have obtained the Information Worker Solutions Competency can help their customers realize increased service revenues and new market opportunities. Specializations within the competency include Microsoft Enterprise Project Management, Microsoft Messaging and Collaboration, Microsoft Office Smart Client Development, Microsoft Office System Desktop Development and Microsoft Portals and Enterprise Content Management.
“Our developer partners enable us to deliver high-quality solutions and applications to our customers,” said Nick Abbott, group manager in the .NET Developer Product Marketing Group at Microsoft Corp. “As the demand for applications built on the Microsoft platform continues to grow, there are more opportunities for providers of custom-developed applications than ever. The Custom Development Solutions Competency provides partners with a way to showcase their expertise delivering custom-built solutions to customers, to enhance partners’ revenue opportunities and positioning them for growth.”
The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in October 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.