Gold rush for Dimension Data Microsoft Solutions

In a recent bid to increase the credibility and value of its Partner tiering, Microsoft restructured its Partner Network Gold Competencies for 2011. All partners were required to earn their Gold Status based on the newer, more stringent criteria.

Always a powerful force in the Microsoft arena and in Africa in particular, Dimension Data's Microsoft Solutions has risen admirably to the challenge. In a matter of months, it has secured an impressive nine Microsoft Gold Competencies - more than any other Microsoft partner on the continent.

“We believe that our ability to excel across such a broad range of skills sets is testament to our depth of expertise within the Microsoft environment,” says Bradley Bunch, General Manager for Dimension Data's Microsoft Solutions in South Africa.

According to Bunch, the team has been extremely supportive of the process and the value that it will bring to clients. “When dealing with Dimension Data, companies can be confident that they will have access to the absolute latest in terms of technologies and expertise. And with client referencing becoming such an integral part of the certification criteria, they can rest assured that the solutions we are deploying have been proven over and over to be world-class,” says Bunch.

The nine competencies include: unified communications, portals and collaboration, systems management, identity and security, server platform, virtualisation, desktop, software asset management and volume licensing. The team has been working systematically towards each of these certifications, fully embracing the opportunity for up-skilling and ensuring they are at the top of their game. This involved a massive effort from the Microsoft Solutions' presales, licensing, delivery and sales teams across Dimension Data's Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban offices.

Given the stringent requirements that must be attained for each certification, and the time and resources that would have to be allocated to each, there was definite strategic intent behind which certifications the system integrator would pursue.

“Above all else, we value our ability to enrich our clients by really enabling their business. Our business model is built upon our ability to bring a unified bundle of licensing, professional and managed/cloud services to our clients. The value we are able to add is magnified by the fact that we have the formal certifications to cater for all our clients' Microsoft requirements. The areas we have qualified in will directly impact on our ability to help our clients realise their business ambitions. Unified communications and portals and collaboration are key areas for our clients when it comes to enabling them to achieve their business goals,” says Bunch.

“Other areas play to our strength as a business integrator where our range and flexibility enables us to offer the breadth and depth of skills needed to deploy such complex technologies, many of which will have far-reaching impact on any business. Areas such as virtualisation and desktop are not something that can be undertaken lightly and this is where clients will stand to benefit significantly from a proven partner.

“We are extremely proud of these achievements. The Partner Network Competencies have long been regarded as an acid test in the market in terms of commitment and expertise, and we see this as a real differentiator for the business going forward,” concludes Bunch.