Blackwell Consulting Services of Ohio Attains Gold Certified Partner Status in Microsoft Partner Program

Cincinnati, OH, August 08, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Blackwell Consulting Services of Ohio, a full-service provider of information technology services to businesses and public sector organizations throughout the state of Ohio, today announced it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with competencies in Information Worker Solutions, Networking Infrastructure Solutions, and Security Solutions, recognizing Blackwell’s expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, BCSO 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 channel.

Operating from three Ohio locations, Blackwell Consulting Services of Ohio, LLC builds strong relationships with organizations in the local business community, ranging in size from Fortune 100 businesses to mid market companies and city/state governments. As innovators with a sophisticated command of business and technology, and strong project management expertise, BCSO specialists help clients to develop and implement practical IT solutions to run their businesses better. Building on 10+ years of experience, BCSO offers a comprehensive portfolio of services in areas including applications development and management, web services, architecture & security, IT strategic planning and enterprise applications integration. BCSO is proudly a minority and female owned and managed enterprise.

“We are extremely pleased to have attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program. This allows us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers,” said Annette Tarver, President of BCSO. “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, 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 recognizes Blackwell Consulting Services of Ohio, LLC 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, BCSO had to declare a 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. Within select Competencies, there are Specializations that focus on specific solution areas that recognize deeper expertise within that Competency. Serving as a specialized path to earning those Competencies, Specializations give direct access to the tools and resources that support that specific area of focus.

Designed to provide additional benefit and support to partners specializing in collaboration, portals and other productivity solutions, the Information Worker Solutions Competency is utilized by Gold Certified Partners that provide their customers with solutions built on familiar programs which enable them to better manage, prioritize and collaborate on increasing volumes of information. Partners that have obtained the Information Worker Solutions Competency can help their customers realize increased service revenues and new market opportunities. Specializations within the competency include Microsoft Enterprise Project Management, Microsoft Messaging and Collaboration, Microsoft Office Smart Client Development, Microsoft Office System Desktop Development and Microsoft Portals and Enterprise Content Management.
“Partners play a critical role in delivering solutions and applications to customers with the Microsoft Office system,” said Chris Capossela, corporate vice president of the Product Management Group, Microsoft Business Division at Microsoft Corp. “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.”

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