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Skillweb Attains Gold Certified Partner Status in Microsoft Partner Program

Skillweb Further Distinguishes Itself by Earning a Microsoft Competency in Mobility Solutions, Business Process & Integration, Data Management Solutions & Custom Development Solutions

Skillweb, provider of innovative mobile computer solutions for logistics and supply chain operations, today announced it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with competencies in Mobility Solutions, Business Process and Integration, Data Management Solutions and Custom Development Solutions, recognising Skillweb’s expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, Skillweb 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 channel.

Skillweb specialises in enterprise mobile computing solutions for the supply chain that can track consignments from suppliers into the supply chain network and through to the final delivery point. Skillweb’s systems improve driver productivity, maximise visibility, enable organizations to meet customer’s expectations, capture events and use the resultant intelligence to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Skillweb delivers solutions from its proven range of functions; electronic signatures, proof of delivery, returns, vehicle safety, fuel, mileage, email, voice, consignment tracking, stillage management, driver management and resource management. With multi lingual mobile solutions rollout across Europe proven to scale to over 2000 devices, Skillweb can demonstrate how it can solve the largest mobile computing challenges, as it has done for DHL, or for smaller specialist solutions such as National Film transport or Guernsey Post.

Paul Ridden, CTO said: “We are delighted to have gained Gold Certified Partner status for four competencies within the Microsoft Partner Program. This is recognition of our capability to deliver successful, working solutions to our customers based on Microsoft technologies. This allows us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers.” He continued, “We are a member of select community , and the benefits provided through our Gold Certified Partner status will allow us to continue to enhance the offerings that we provide for customers.”

“Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities,” said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing 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 recognises Skillweb as a new Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology.”

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, Skillweb had to declare a Microsoft Competency. Skillweb was able to declare four different competencies. 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.

Mobility Solutions

Partners that attain the Mobility Solutions Competency have proven competency in developing and deploying Windows Mobile-based solutions and applications using Microsoft products including Windows Mobile software for Pocket PC and Smartphone, Windows CE, MapPoint, and AutoPC.

“Solutions competencies such as Mobility Solutions make it easier for partners to position their skills to customers, better align their business with Microsoft’s marketing initiatives and form closer relationships with other partners,” said John Traynor, director of business and partner marketing at Microsoft Corp. “By ensuring that our partners are proficient in delivering Windows Mobile-based solutions and applications more quickly and easily, we are able to help our partners provide solutions that enable customers to access information on the go, increasing employee productivity and customer response rates while reducing business cycles and, ultimately, costs.”

Business Process and Integration

The Business Process and Integration Competency is designed for Microsoft Certified and Gold Certified Partners with proven proficiency in implementing and deploying server-based portals for driving Internet commerce and business applications using Microsoft tools and software. Delivering the high levels of reliability and availability needed for business-to-customer Web sites requires not only great technology but also the competency to plan, deploy, support and migrate those solutions. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners enrolled in this competency have demonstrated knowledge of, and experience with, the deployment of Internet-based solutions and infrastructure using Microsoft tools and software.

Data Management Solutions

The Data Management Solutions Competency is designed for Microsoft Certified and Gold Certified Partners that have proved their competency in deploying data warehousing, online analytical processing, data mining, decision support and in-depth reporting solutions. Specialisations within the competency are Business Intelligence and Database Management.

Custom Development Solutions

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. Specializations within the competency are Application Infrastructure Development, Smart Client Development and Web Development.

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.