Oracle gives Midas golden touch

Midas has become the first Oracle partner in the UK to be accredited to the vendor's top tier.

Midas has become the first Oracle partner in the UK to be accredited to the vendor's top tier.

Its appointment as an Oracle Certified Advantage Partner (Cap) came after Midas passed an exhaustive testing process lasting a year. Midas is the first of 60 certified Oracle partners in the UK to achieve this status, although more are in the pipeline.

Jenny Tomblin, channels marketing manager at Oracle in the UK, told PC Dealer: "This accreditation level proves a partner has achieved the highest level of excellence in the partner process. Midas has stepped up the mark and it will reap the rewards."

But she stressed the status would only be conferred on the most proficient and dedicated partners.

"Resellers cannot become advantage partners, we will only look at system integrators or consultancies," she said.

Tomblin added that Oracle plans to add between six and 10 further Caps by the end of next year.

Rob Thompson, managing director of Midas, said: "Someone is always taking away the bottom rung of the ladder in this industry. This has forced us to improve our standards and we have become better technically and as a sales force."

Thompson said Midas would continue to target organisations with a turnover of less than £250m - the segment of the market classified by Oracle as SMEs - although working with companies above this level could be achieved by partnering with Oracle, he added.

"We target firms with a turnover of more than £10m, so gaining their trust is essential when selling these systems. We've undergone a rigorous 12-month audit," he said.

To qualify for Advantage partner status, companies must have attained Oracle's Certified Solution Partner status (CSP) for at least a year.

They must also develop a 'go to market' joint business plan with Oracle, have at least four Oracle certified professionals and also have a high level of software licence revenues (negotiable). A high level of technical clients (negotiable) and at least four referenceable clients in addition to the CSP minimum is required.

The rewards of Advantage partner status are a dedicated account manager; joint marketing collateral; a dedicated, pre-agreed marketing development funds (minimum £6,000 per year); differentiation through use of Advantage logo and enhanced technical support (24x7) and training.