Agfa Graphics announced it has attained gold certified partner status in the Microsoft partner programme, with a competency in ISV/Software Solutions.
Rudi Lamproye, research and development manager, commercial software at Agfa Graphics, says, “We are extremely pleased to have attained gold certified partner status in the Microsoft partner programme. This allows us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers. The benefits provided through our gold certified partner status will allow us to continue to enhance the offerings that we provide for customers.”
Allison Watson, corporate vice president of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft, says, “Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities. “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 recognises Agfa Graphics 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, Agfa Graphics had to declare a Microsoft Competency. Microsoft says that these competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner’s capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution. It says that the ISV/Software Solutions Competency recognizes the skill and focus partners bring to a particular solution set, and that Microsoft Gold Certified Partners that have obtained this competency have a successful record of developing and marketing packed software based on Microsoft technologies.
Walid Abu-Hadba, corporate vice president of the Developer and Platform Evangelism Group at Microsoft, says, “Solutions competencies are an important way for Microsoft to better enable ISVs to meet customer needs. They allow ISVs to keep and win customers through their deep knowledge of solutions-based Microsoft platform technologies. Microsoft has a long history of working closely with ISV partners to help them deliver compelling solutions and applications to our mutual customers, and the Microsoft Competencies are an important step in continuing to enhance vital relationships with ISVs worldwide.”
