• Advanced Infrastructure Solutions,
• Information Worker Productivity Solutions
• Security Solutions
• Networking Infrastructure Solutions
• Data Management Solutions
• Licensing Solutions
• Business Process and integration
• Mobility Solutions

These competencies help in recognizing Computer Revolution Africa’s expertise and total impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified partner, Computer Revolution Africa 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 marketplace.

Competency: Microsoft Advanced Infrastructure Solutions

The Advanced Infrastructure Solutions Competency is designed for partners with proven expertise in designing and/or implementing complex infrastructure solutions such as Active Directory®-based and Microsoft Integration Server design and deployment solutions, or Microsoft Exchange Server migration or deployment solutions. Because customers are increasingly asking to do more with less, partners with the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions Competency can identify their unique skill in helping customers access management solutions, improving operational efficiency and reducing security risks

“Our industry partners allow us to deliver high-quality solutions and applications to our customers. And we’re always looking at ways to improve our relationships,” said Paul Flessner, senior vice president of the Server Platform Division at Microsoft. “Solutions Competencies enable Microsoft to provide resources and training to partners seeking to meet, and even surpass, customer needs. The competencies also provide industry partners with a way to showcase their expertise to customers who depend on them for services, such as building their critical infrastructure needs such as storage and hosting solutions.”

The Microsoft Business Intelligence Solutions Competency is designed to provide additional benefits and support to Microsoft Certified and Gold Certified Partners with proven competency in implementing solutions specializing in data warehousing and other business intelligence solutions. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners enrolled in the Business Intelligence Solutions Competency have proved their competency in deploying solutions that feature data warehousing, business intelligence, online analytical processing, data mining, decision support and in-depth reporting solutions.

“Solutions Competencies such as Business Intelligence Solutions make it easier for partners to position their skills to customers, better align their business with Microsoft marketing initiatives and form closer relationships with other partners,” said Bill Baker, general manager of business intelligence for SQL Server™ at Microsoft. “By ensuring that our partners are proficient in developing and deploying business intelligence applications more quickly and easily, we are able to help our partners make business intelligence more pervasive and accessible to everyone.”

The Microsoft Security Solutions Competency is designed to recognize the unique skills and requirements of partners specializing in delivering security-based solutions. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners enrolled in this competency have proved their skill in advanced security solutions to help protect customer information assets by building solutions such as security management and operations, secure wireless VPN and perimeter, and identity and access management.

“Security is a priority for Microsoft, and we rely on our partners to help us deliver security-based solutions to our customers,” said Rich Kaplan, corporate vice president of the Security Business & Technology Unit at Microsoft. “As customers continue to automate business processes, Solutions Competencies such as this one enable our partners to better identify and showcase their security solutions skills when dealing with increasing customer demands to better secure their infrastructure.”

Competency: Networking Infrastructure Solutions

Microsoft Gold Certified Partners enrolled in the Networking Infrastructure Solutions Competency have proved their competency in implementing technology solutions based on either the Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 or Windows® 2000 Server operating system, with a particular focus on Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 and Windows Small Business Server 2003. 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, who help us deliver solutions and applications to customers,” said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft. “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 knowledge of building solutions based on Microsoft technologies, such as setting up networks using Windows Server 2003 and Windows Small Business Server 2003.”

Competency: Mobility Solutions

Microsoft 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.”