Microsoft, Enterprise Connection introduce joint support offering for SMEs

Leading IT solution provider, Enterprise Connection, is the first Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Support Services in South Africa to join the Microsoft Authorised Premier Support (MAPS) programme.

This programme allows Enterprise Connection to sell pro-active support agreements to its customer base which is primarily targeted at small to medium-sized businesses and organisations requiring a multi-vendor support solution.

This high-level support service is jointly provided by Enterprise Connection as an industry-leading Gold Certified Partner and by additional personnel and resources provided by Microsoft.

One of the challenges faced by small to medium-sized businesses is that they lack the IT infrastructure to support their networking and mission-critical applications. The core of the MAPS offering is a support service geared for this market that moves beyond reactive problem resolution and offers proactive and preventative support including designated account management, planning and consulting services, managed issue resolution services and access to the latest technology information. Proactive services and consulting are designed to minimise total costs and prevent system downtime.

"By being the first in the market to offer the MAPS programme, Enterprise Connection is able to differentiate itself by providing these extensive services that maximize the benefits to its customers," says Paul Moses, managing director of Enterprise Connection.

MAPS incorporates a family of offerings that are designed to assist customers working with a service provider that can support a wide range of business needs. The advantage of having a single point of contact for support, from hardware to application related issues, allows customers to reduce the administrative costs of managing multiple support relationships. Customers are able to receive full support whenever and wherever they require it, thereby saving time and achieving quicker returns on technology investments. Customers are also guaranteed peace of mind that support issues are taken care of, allowing them to focus on their core business goals.

"By partnering with Microsoft, we are able to gain extensive knowledge and support that is a virtual extension of Microsoft itself, resulting in fast and accurate resolutions. Together, our complementary services provide greater benefits and more support options than either could do separately," says Moses.

Enterprise Connection, a wholly owned subsidiary of the technology company, Connection Group Holdings Ltd, aims to establish value-driven relationships with customers who require personalised, consistent, world-class solutions and services. This is made possible through its close relationship with Microsoft which ensures compliance with Microsoft`s rigorous worldwide standards.

"Microsoft`s success depends entirely on our partners. We therefore select support partners based upon their ability to provide expert-level technical support for Microsoft technologies. Enterprise Connection has not only met but exceeded the high quality and certification standards required and we look forward to working together to deliver high-quality services and benefits to our mutual customers," concludes Bill Renaud, services director, Services and Solutions Group, Microsoft Sub-Sahara Africa.