Aculab attains Gold Certified Partner status in Microsoft Partner Program

Aculab further distinguishes itself by earning a Microsoft Competency in OEM Hardware Solutions.

Aculab, a leading provider of enabling technology for the global communications market, today announced it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in OEM Hardware Solutions, recognizing Aculab’s expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, Aculab has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and proven ability to meet customers’ needs. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the channel.

Working with Microsoft, the ApplianX Gateway for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 is an easy to deploy, standards-based SIP-to-TDM gateway, which has been specifically designed to allow enterprises to take full advantage of Office Communications Server 2007 in a mixed IP and TDM environment. It can perform all the functions of the ApplianX IP Gateway, but additionally incorporates the Microsoft Mediation Server role in a single ApplianX Gateway device. As such, it can significantly lower the total cost of ownership, as fewer components are required and also ensures that the audio quality is maintained, regardless of channel count.

The ApplianX Gateway falls into the ’basic-hybrid’ gateway category because it has been designed to run the Mediation Server function of Office Communications Server 2007, which comes pre-installed within the ApplianX Gateway. As a certified hybrid, the ApplianX Gateway has undergone a very rigorous testing process to ensure optimum performance is gained from the combined gateway and Mediation Server role. The ApplianX Gateway supports the broadest set of global telephony protocols including PRI/ISDN types; T1 robbed bit; E1 CAS; R1; R2; AT&T and NI2, DPNSS and Q.SIG to ensure investment in TDM-based infrastructure can be extended.

“We have dedicated a great deal of engineering resource to Microsoft Unified Communications, with a view to creating a simple to use but very powerful gateway that can support up to 120 simultaneous calls. Becoming a MSPP Gold Certified Partner provides recognition of both our efforts and the quality of our product” said Faye McClenahan, Head of Strategic Marketing for Aculab. “The ApplianX Gateway for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 is a ‘single purpose device’ specifically designed and targeted at the Office Communications Server 2007 platform and as a hybrid gateway significantly reduces the cost of deploying the system.”

“Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities,” said Allison Watson, vice president, Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group, at Microsoft Corp. “They need to trust in a company that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, which have certified expertise and direct training and support from Microsoft, can build a positive customer experience with our technologies. Today, Microsoft recognizes Aculab as a new Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology.”

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, Aculab had to declare a Microsoft Competency. Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner’s capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution. Each competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the technology industry.

The OEM Hardware Solutions Competency is intended for partners that build and deliver desktop or server hardware systems, and those that design and manufacture hardware devices used as computer parts, peripherals or accessories. Partners that attain the OEM Hardware Solutions Competency are recognized for their expertise in delivering high-quality hardware solutions and are provided with information and tools needed to expand their market opportunities and maintain a competitive advantage in the industry. Specializations within the competency include System Building and Device Manufacturing.

“Partners that acquire the OEM Hardware Solutions Competency have demonstrated expertise and have a track record of building high-quality hardware solutions that are designed and configured with Microsoft technologies according to customer needs and supported to ensure customer satisfaction,” said Kurt Kolb, vice president, Worldwide System Builder Channel and License Compliance, at Microsoft Corp. “These partners are able to closely engage with Microsoft and have access to specialized resources to help them meet and even surpass customer expectations.”

The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in October 2003 and represents Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners’ businesses be successful.