Business Connexion named Microsoft Gold Partner of the Year

South African black empowerment IT group Business Connexion has become the first service partner recipient of a special recognition award from Microsoft, naming the company "Microsoft Gold Partner of the Year for South Africa (Enterprise Services and E-Commerce)".

The award, made at the Microsoft Annual Partner Summit banquet at Sun City, recognises Business Connexion`s accomplishments in supporting Microsoft products for customers on the African continent.

In addition, the award honours Business Connexion`s market services leadership and innovation as the best Prime Integrator of Microsoft solutions, due to its Microsoft Gold Partner status in both the Enterprise Services and E-commerce fields.

This unique partnership with Microsoft puts Business Connexion in a singular position to support Microsoft solutions. The two companies work closely on joint marketing and engineering programmes, forging a relationship that sets Business Connexion apart from competition.

"This award speaks volumes about the quality of the people that make up our organisation," says Business Connexion CEO Benjamin Mophatlane.

"The Business Connexion team is comprised of individuals who are committed to providing our valued customers with the most technologically advanced Microsoft solutions, while maintaining the highest level of service possible. We are honoured and proud to be named the 2002 Microsoft Gold Partner of the Year for South Africa."

He points out that, with one of the largest Microsoft trained and certified workforces in the industry, Business Connexion has already helped some of the most influential companies migrate to Windows 2000 and Exchange 2000. A constantly growing client list is underpinned by established relationships with such organisations as Telkom, the Post Office, Multichoice, Anglo Vaal, Absa, Investec, Momentum, AngloGold, Gold Fields, Toyota SA, DOW Chemicals, Tiger Brands and Edcon.

Amory Gordon, enterprise partner manager at Microsoft SA, says: "Business Connexion ideally represents the qualities we look for in long-term partners. The company has shown that it not only has the skills base and determination to make its partnership with Microsoft work to the fullest extent, but has also proven to be one of the most committed service partners Microsoft has in SA."

While the award represents outstanding performance in overall service delivery, it also celebrates the company`s superior technical support, outstanding service offerings, effective customer relationship management, accurate performance measurements and effective staffing and retention programmes.

This is the second award in less than six months that Microsoft has awarded Business Connexion. In the beginning of March at the Microsoft Operations annual Channel Partner Conference in Ireland, Business Connexion won the prestigious Large Account Reseller Award for Africa for the second consecutive year. This award recognised Business Connexion`s outstanding customer performance levels and successful strategy for licensing software at a good value.

"I would like to thank our staff, Microsoft and our most valued customers, who have made this possible. We value your continued support and commitment," says Mophatlane.