AtNetPlus, Inc. Again Attains Gold Certified Partner Status in Microsoft Partner Program

AtNetPlus, Inc. Further Distinguishes Itself by Earning Three Microsoft Competencies in Hosting Solutions, Information Worker Solutions, and Networking Infrastructure Solutions.

STOW, Ohio, March 3 /PRNewswire/ — AtNetPlus, Inc. today announced it has again attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with added competencies in Hosting Solutions, Information Worker Solutions, and Networking Infrastructure Solutions. In order to receive an enhanced set of benefits and a competitive advantage in the channel, Gold Certified Partners must meet the most stringent criteria in the Microsoft Partner Program. The program recognizes AtNetPlus’ expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, AtNetPlus has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and a proven ability to meet customers’ needs.

For more than 10 years, AtNetPlus has been customizing solutions for technology dependent organizations. From the beginning, the company has delivered cutting edge solutions that fit the needs, expectations, and budget of their clients – many of which have limited in-house IT resources. AtNetPlus helps small and mid-sized organizations develop a cost effective IT strategy designed to improve productivity today and into the future.

“We are extremely pleased to have attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program for the second year in a row. Meeting additional competency requirements clearly demonstrates our commitment to supporting our customers with Microsoft technologies,” said AtNetPlus Partner, Jay Mellon. “The benefits provided through our Gold Certified Partner status will allow us to remain up-to-date with the offerings that are the most advantageous to our clients.”

“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 again recognizes AtNetPlus, Inc. as a 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, AtNetPlus had to declare at least one 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.

AtNetPlus achieved three Microsoft Competencies this year. The Hosting Solutions Competency is designed for partners that have proven proficiencies in developing and offering hosting solutions based on Microsoft technologies. This competency is vital as partner hosted services play a key role in how customers consume Microsoft software.

“The starting point for promoting partner proficiency in developing hosting solutions to customers is by attaining the Hosting Solutions Competency,” said John Zanni, general manager of the worldwide software + services industry for the Communications Sector at Microsoft Corp. “Partners need resources designed to support their expertise in creating hosting solutions based on Microsoft Solutions for Windows-based Hosting and Hosted Messaging and Collaboration in the context of real-world business scenarios.”

The Information Worker Solutions competency is for partners that have demonstrated proficiencies in Microsoft information worker technologies. These partners are equipped to address key customer challenges by developing solutions and deploying services based on the 2007 Microsoft Office system and Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. Specializations within this competency include Search, Office Systems Deployment, Enterprise Project Management, Portals and Collaboration, Office Solutions Development, Enterprise Content Management, and Data Visualization. AtNetPlus specialized in Office Systems Deployment.

“Partners play a critical role in delivering solutions and applications to customers leveraging the Microsoft Office system,” said Jigish Avalani, managing director, Microsoft IW Partner Ecosystem. “The value of solutions competencies is that they enable Microsoft to deliver resources and training to partners meeting their customer needs. And for partners, the opportunity to highlight their expertise to customers is tremendous in the growing information worker solutions market.”

Avalani continued, “The competitive risks of holding on to aging IT investments are many – including costs to keep older systems performing to today’s standards. Customers may be reluctant to make software upgrades a priority. Partners with the Office Systems Deployment Specialization help customers reduce deployment time, limit service disruptions, reduce post-deployment help desk costs, improve security, and provide a competitive advantage in today’s changing business landscape.”

Microsoft partners enrolled in the Networking Infrastructure Solutions Competency have proven their proficiency in implementing solutions based on Microsoft’s Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2008 Operating Systems, or Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008. These implementations may include crafting solutions that connect Windows-based servers, PC locations and the Internet; installing a server farm; or building a small-business Windows Server stand-alone solution that includes file and print capabilities.

“We place tremendous value on our partners, which help us deliver solutions and applications to customers,” said Ward Ralston, group product manager for Windows Server at Microsoft Corp. “Networking Infrastructure Solutions competencies provide an integrated partnering framework that recognizes an enterprise’s expertise and rewards it for the effect it has in the technology marketplace. It also allows companies to demonstrate for customers their broad knowledge of building wide-ranging solutions based on Microsoft technologies, such as setting up networks using Windows Server 2008 and the Windows Essential Server Solutions product line.”

“AtNetPlus is committed to employing technology that will give our clients every advantage over their competition. Maintaining and enhancing our Microsoft Gold Partner Status allows us to use every resource available to insure that we continue to offer the best solutions on the market to meet the needs and expectations of our customers,” concluded Mellon.

About AtNetPlus

AtNetPlus specializes in working with small and mid-sized organizations that are technology dependent but have limited or no in-house IT resources. AtNetPlus has the capability to offer solutions beyond those typically available to smaller enterprises. Access to their services improves productivity and helps smaller companies stay competitive. “AtNetPlus – we keep you connected, secure, and working.”

SOURCE AtNetPlus, Inc.