Microsoft awards Dimension Data Cloud Accelerate Partner status

Dimension Data has achieved Microsoft Cloud Accelerate Partner status, held by less than 1% of Microsoft partners around the world. Combined with Dimension Data's existing Microsoft Hyper-V Private Cloud partner status, it re-enforces the Group's position around providing clients with architectures and roadmaps for adopting cloud computing, at a pace that suits the client.

Introduced in 2010, the Microsoft Cloud Accelerate Programme is designed to showcase and support the top partners committed to delivering the next generation of cloud services to their clients.

Dimension Data achieved the status by demonstrating excellence in service delivery and a proven track record of delivering cloud projects around the world. Cloud Accelerate Partners are able to further their capabilities via access to relevant online services, Microsoft promotion of cloud capabilities, and access to higher levels of pre-sales training and technical support.

Peter Menadue, Dimension Data's Group General Manager, Microsoft Solutions, said: “Dimension Data has reached yet another milestone in our longstanding relationship with Microsoft. We recognise the value of working together when deploying solutions for our clients. Indeed, leveraging the Microsoft skills and support is often the backbone of our implementations.

“Being awarded Cloud Accelerate Partner status dovetails well with Dimension Data's strategy around providing clients with a step-by-step approach in their journey towards cloud computing. Over the past few years, the Group has been building cloud-related skills and capabilities in the areas of virtualisation, data centre and storage, managed services and hosting, as well as IT outsourcing - all critical to enabling cloud architectures for clients.

“In June this year, we took another step in our cloud journey when we acquired OpSource, a US-based enterprise cloud company, and at the same time created a centralised Cloud Solutions Business Unit. We look forward to working with Microsoft on our future cloud initiatives, which includes helping our clients in the adoption of Microsoft public and private cloud platform products, such as Office 365.”

“We are excited about Dimension Data joining the Microsoft Cloud Accelerate programme, which provides top cloud partners with technical and business support to build and sell cloud solutions based on Microsoft technologies, offering incredible value to customers,” said Josh Waldo, senior director in the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft. “The partners in this programme are doing amazing things and are looking to differentiate their business and better serve customers with Microsoft cloud solutions.”

Dimension Data is a Microsoft Gold Partner on five continents, and has more than 1 100 Microsoft certifications, including 450 Microsoft Certified System Engineers. In addition, Dimension Data participates, by invitation only, in a number of Microsoft's Partner Advisory Councils. In 2006, Dimension Data and Microsoft extended this partnership by entering into a multi-year Global Alliance Agreement that sees ongoing investment by both companies in the pursuit of new market opportunities and improved value to their joint clients. As a direct result of the agreement, their clients experience improved support for their Microsoft environments and benefit from more innovative and robust solutions to their needs. Today, Dimension Data is one of only a few of Microsoft's thousands of partners worldwide that can transfer the benefits of such an agreement to its clients.