Microsoft adds to its Certified scheme

Software giant unveils local enhancements to worldwide Certified Partner Programme.

Microsoft has announced local enhancements to its worldwide Certified Partner Programme for 2003, which it claims will increase business for its resellers.

The UK improvements include an online concierge to provide 24-hour web support, an updated Microsoft resource directory which helps customers find the right partner, and additional free software licences.

The changes are part of a $500m improvement investment pledged by the software giant last July. It is also planning to hold more partner roundtables, and boost customer awareness of the importance of partnerships.

Both levels of partners - Certified and Gold - must renew their membership every January at a cost of £1,000.

Natalie Johnston, channel enablement manager at Microsoft, said that in the first week, half of Certified partners and 80 per cent of Gold members renewed their membership.

"We have 1,900 companies in the Certified programme and we are very pleased with the renewal rate," she said.

James Governor, principal analyst at RedMonk, said: "This looks like business as usual which, if this year's numbers are anything to go by, is pretty good. If any company knows how to create opportunities for the channel it is Microsoft.

"It will be interesting to see how the 2004 programme looks, given that IBM is starting a serious push into the SME space with its WebSphere Express programmes."