First Technology awarded Microsoft`s LAR of the Year (2004)

First Technology walked away with the 2004 Large Account Reseller (LAR) of the Year award from the Microsoft Partner Summit held at Sun City.

"We were up against strong competition but we continue to lead the competition when it comes to full level software asset management and especially in the way we approach and solve a client`s licensing needs," says Clark Coetzee, Managing Director, Software Division, First Technology.

"The First Technology Microsoft team continues to be motivated by its success and I am sure we will grow from strength to strength moving forward."

Being a nationwide company with software divisions in each of the regions, this award has opened up huge opportunities. Clients need more than simply a company to order licences from. With the recent introduction of Izazi as a 25.01% shareholder in the group, all empowerment criteria as required by the various charters are now complied with. The advanced services we currently offer commercial clients are also offered to government departments," adds Coetzee.

First Technology is renowned for its expertise in software licensing and consulting on licensing strategies that are aligned to the vendor`s strategies. With its own ASP software asset management services, First Technology has taken software management to a whole new level, developing its SoftwareBank for use by small and medium businesses, in addition to those very large corporates that already use it. This ensures that every client can enjoy the benefits of First Technology`s awarded expertise.

With a strategy that is in line with Microsoft`s go-to-market strategies, First Technology has seen substantial growth currently managing a large portion of the MS licensing market including many very large accounts. While the company`s main focus has been on volume licensing, the real value-add to the client is our ability to provide licensing solutions that makes sound business sense.

Trek to the summit

00Days

:

00Hrs

:

00Min

:

00Sec

"Throughout a project we provide counselling and analysis, ensuring the correct agreement with Microsoft is entered into and that it is within the client`s long-term software strategy. We view the client`s technology roadmap for six years," says Coetzee. To add credence to its business and technology skills, First Technology is also running executive roundtable functions where the topics are focused on business, technology and ensuring return on IT investments.

The company has seen a huge growth this year in the enterprise sector but is looking to deployment and advanced asset management as the way forward next year to further enhance its vast array of service offerings. The reason for this is that "clients want the technology and pay for the licensing but then seldom deploy the technology. Our services division will be concentrating on assisting clients in the deployment of Microsoft technology from Windows operating systems through to Exchange 2003 with Active Directory.

"First Technology Software is a Gold Partner in Advanced Infrastructure Solutions which means clients are assured of deployment of the Microsoft technology in accordance with Microsoft`s best practices," says Coetzee.

With a clearly focused Microsoft licensing and services strategy, the future success of the First Technology Microsoft team and maintaining the prestigious "top spot" should prove to be well within the capability of First Technology.