Local systems house and software developer MIP Holdings has been named Progress Software Partner of the Year for 2004 at an awards ceremony held at The Castle in Kyalami.
Progress chooses its partner award recipients based on their innovative use of Progress technology, their focus on high-value initiatives, and various other collaborative efforts that have enabled them to deliver maximum business value.
"MIP has thoroughly embraced all aspects of working with Progress," says Rick Parry, MD of Progress Software South Africa. "This award is not based just on revenue, but on all areas of business. We recognise MIP for its technical innovation, business innovation, corporate governance, tenacity, leadership, public relations, marketing and its completeness of vision.
"The company has overcome several challenges in 2004 and has had a very successful year. Furthermore, MIP continues to pioneer the software billing model of the future and has achieved international recognition for its risk-based billing model."
"We are honoured to be acknowledged by Progress for our accomplishments and to have our position as a pioneer in innovative technology solutions recognised," says Richard Firth, chairman and CEO of MIP Holdings. "Our focus is on increasing productivity and efficiency for our customers, while promoting rapid return on investment and low total cost of ownership, as enabled by the Progress platform."
Other awards
Progress`s Technical Innovation award went to e-marketplace Quadrem Africa for the integration of Sonic MQ into its WebMethods procurement exchange. Quadrem was recognised for guaranteeing delivery to its suppliers and customers in the mining industry which it serves through the exchange.
Quality Business Consultants (QBCon) picked up the Strategic Vision award for "going through the painful process of self-examination, having the courage and vision to base its future strategy on what the company knows it is good at, and its decision to become a software factory", according to Parry.
Cape Town-based e-business solutions provider Sys-Net won the award for Most Significant Revenue Growth in New Business 2004, based on its 55% revenue growth over the last year.
Auto-Mate Dealer Management Systems, which services 60% of the local and African motor dealer industry, won the Top Revenue Performer of the Year award for 2004, as well as the award for Industry Sector Excellence.
"Auto-Mate has become the sole supplier of Daimler-Chrysler in sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa), and the sole supplier to Nissan South Africa, thus consolidating its presence, and hence Progress`s presence, in many parts of the continent," says Parry.
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Progress Software South Africa is a subsidiary of US-based Progress Software Corporation, the world leader in the embedded database market. The company provides the underlying software technology and services required for successfully developing, deploying, integrating and managing e-business solutions. Progress actively pursues innovative technologies and new business opportunities that allow companies to make an effective transition to true e-business environments. Progress`s OpenEdge platform enables its partners to deliver lowest cost-of-ownership applications that are rapidly implemented and easily integrated within and across the extended enterprise.
The company`s extensive partner base includes more than 2 000 application partners and application service providers who supply more than $5 billion in Progress-based applications and services annually. Over 50 000 organisations across 100 countries - including 70% of the Fortune 100 - rely on Progress technology.
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