Malta-based international IT solutions company Crimsonwing has obtained Microsoft’s new ‘gold’ partner status after the software giant re-organised its accreditations system late last year.
Crimsonwing is now a Microsoft Gold Partner with gold competency for enterprise resource planning in both Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Dynamics AX, gold competency for software development and silver competencies for learning, portals and collaboration, web development and data platform.
Although Microsoft partners have up to 12 months to meet the new criteria, the Maltese company successfully met the challenging objective of achieving gold competency status by the start of the new programme.
The previous gold partner status simply reflected an overall capability whereas the new approach enables Microsoft partners to more clearly differentiate their business capabilities and areas of specialisation. The criteria that need to be met in order to obtain accreditation in the competencies are much more stringent now.
“The Microsoft Gold Partner accreditation differentiates the very best of their partners! It is a testament of Crimsonwing’s experience and commitment to deliver quality Microsoft Dynamics-based solutions,” remarked an elated James Bonello, managing director at Crimsonwing.
“We strived to be on the forefront of this change process to demonstrate not just our commitment to the Microsoft solutions, but also to reinforce our quality processes based on thoroughly tested competencies and know-how.”
Crimsonwing has 230 employees and is listed on the Malta Stock Exchange. It has clients in Malta, the UK and The Netherlands, and the list includes high-profile names such as UK supermarket chain Morrisons, Dutch publishing giant VNU and Bank of Valletta in Malta. Other major clients have expressed a wish not to have their names made public.
“Our relationship and partnership status increases credibility with our clients as well as gives us access to a wide variety of resources within the Microsoft partner network including support consultants. This provides all parties involved with a win-win situation. We are proud to work so closely with Microsoft and to be in the position of being their preferred implementation partner,” added Mr Bonello.
Crimsonwing’s relationship with Microsoft goes back more than 10 years and it has strengthened over time.
Louise Mifsud, marketing manager at Microsoft Malta, confirmed that achieving a gold competency helps to indicate best-in-class capability to customers and other partners. When a partner earns the distinction of a gold competency, they receive unique benefits designed to support their business objectives.
“Crimsonwing’s strong portfolio of expertise and experience has now been enhanced with the accreditation of the Microsoft Gold Competency. Since Microsoft believes its advantage shines through the success of its partners, Microsoft Malta supports and collaborates with local partners such as Crimsonwing to not only realiSe their own full potential, but also that of their local customers,” she added.
Microsoft competencies are aligned with how customers actually buy, making it easier for partners to promote their organisation’s skills and expertise to their customers. When partners earn gold competencies, they can demonstrate the highest, most consistent capability and commitment to a particular business solution area.
In order to attain such competency, the Microsoft Partner has to employ or contract four unique Microsoft certified professionals that do not count toward any other gold competency, alternatively they can submit a product or application that can pass a qualifying gold application test. Furthermore, a Microsoft Partner with a Gold Competency must employ or contract one person who has passed a Microsoft Licensing overview assessment and also employ or contract two people who have passed an online Sales and Marketing competency assessment.
In order for a Microsoft Partner to qualify for a gold competency, the partner must also provide five unique customer references (per competency) and participate in the Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) Index which is an online survey system that provides third-party market research services, delivered by TNS on Microsoft’s behalf. The CSAT Index tool is used to survey and measure customer satisfaction.