NAVMAN WIRELESS ATTAINS GOLD CERTIFIED PARTNER STATUS IN MICROSOFT PARTNER PROGRAM

Vehicle tracking specialist Navman Wireless has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program.

The achievement is a result of the company’s Microsoft recognised Competencies in ISV/Software Solutions and Custom Development Solutions, marking its expertise and impact in the technology marketplace.

As a Gold Certified Partner, Navman Wireless 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 market.

Navman Wireless is the UK’s largest manufacturer of tracking, messaging and navigation equipment, providing telematics solutions to more than 4,500 companies nationwide. The company was the first to use the internet to offer fixed price GPRS vehicle tracking and launched the industry’s first integrated tracking, messaging and satellite navigation system.

“Achieving Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program is yet another example of our commitment to delivering cutting edge technologies to meet the needs of businesses,” said Tony Neill, Vice President Europe, Middle East and Africa, Navman Wireless.

“It will also allow us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers.”

Allison Watson, Vice President of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corp, added: “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 Navman Wireless 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, Navman Wireless had to declare Microsoft Competencies. These 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.

The Custom Development Solutions Competency is designed for technology partners providing custom-built solutions for clients that require value-added capabilities to optimise business opportunities. Specialisations within the competency are Application Infrastructure Development, Smart Client Development and Web Development.

“Our developer partners, such as Navman Wireless, 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 before. The Custom Development Solution Competency provides partners with a way to showcase their expertise delivering custom-built solutions to customers, enhancing partners’ revenue opportunities and positioning them for growth.”

The ISV/Software Solutions Competency meanwhile recognises the skill and focus partners bring to a particular solution set. In obtaining this competency, Navman Wireless has demonstrated a successful track record of developing and marketing packed software based on Microsoft technologies.

“Solutions competencies are an important way for Microsoft to better enable ISVs to meet customer needs,” said Sanjay Parthasarathy, Corporate Vice President of the Developer and Platform Evangelism Group at Microsoft.

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.