Ixchange and Syspro first developers to sign Premier Support agreement with Microsoft SA

Ixchange and Syspro recently became the first developers to sign a Premier Support agreement with Microsoft. This agreement places the two Microsoft Certified Solutions Providers (MCSP`s) in a better position to integrate existing software with the latest technologies from Microsoft as it provides them even greater access to high level technology support.

Premier Support is Microsoft`s highest-level direct support offering. It focuses on the needs of large enterprises that develop applications or deploy Microsoft products across a distributed computing environment. Through this agreement, Ixchange and Syspro will enjoy support for the latest technologies including the BizTalk Framework and Windows Distributed Internet Application (DNA) architecture.

"As a software publisher we develop on an integrated Microsoft platform. Our focus on the back office with our Ability suite of business management solutions and the front offices with our GoldMine range of customer relationship management products, necessitates that we redesign our software around the Microsoft Windows 2000 architecture, says Graham Blunn, software development manager for ProfitAbility. "The Microsoft Premier Support package allows us even more access to Microsoft, working together more closely to build our applications on the latest technology platform."

Microsoft Premier Support is broken up into four services including account management, information services, technical support and incidents. A Microsoft consultant is appointed to each client thereby ensuring personal contact on a regular basis between Microsoft and these developers.

Says Louise Thompson, director at Syspro, "Besides the obvious delivery of Microsoft Premier support, Syspro felt that the development of their product would benefit from Microsoft best-practices and methods of developing. With the Premier Support agreement we are assured of assistance from Microsoft and advice on future developments before it reaches the rest of the market. As a world class ERP software developer, we need to stay abreast of the market and support plays a vital role in keeping us on the path to developing applications for today`s business." Adds Shane van Jaarsveldt, technical director at Microsoft South Africa, "This support agreement demonstrates that Microsoft caters for the various market sectors, in that developers also have access to the support they need. The agreement makes it easier for developers to build solutions on new Microsoft technologies as they have access to the experts to assist them in the process."