'We're proud we're the first UK-only partner to get all six Microsoft designations' - Trustmarque CEO

Simon Williams tells CRN what drove the MSP to invest in all six Microsoft cloud partner designations in what he calls a 'milestone achievement'

Trustmarque has today announced that the partner has earned all six Microsoft solution designations.

This puts the York-HQ MSP in the highest tier of Microsoft's partner programme.

Trustmarque says that this makes them one of the first UK-based partners to do so with all designations specifically in the UK market.

CRN sat down with Trustmarque CEO Simon Williams to find out what the achievement means to him and what the rationale has been for the business.

"Having all six means we have been certified in all six areas. It's a level of completeness," he said.

"Trustmarque has had multi, 30/40 years worth of relationships with Microsoft and this is the pinnacle. It's a massive achievement and we see it as part of our evolution.

"The solution designations are a recognition by Microsoft that you are absolutely fantastic, competent, certified to deliver in this area of Microsoft.

He added that the partner is keen to evolve from its legacy days as a reseller to being a more sophisticated services provider.

"Historically Trustmarque was known as a license reseller, particularly in the public sector. Over the last couple of years we have moved from just doing license services, These new solution designations are a recognition by Microsoft of our ability to deliver services across the whole of Microsoft.

"The thing we're most proud of is the fact that we're the first local, first UK-only partner to get all six designations."

The rationale

Williams said that part of Microsoft's introduction of solution designations, which require a portfolio approach, have been a catalyst.

"So this is very much investing in tech talent, and that's something we at Trustmarque feel very passionate about. Microsoft feel that way and they are driving the academy approach.

"For us it's making sure we've got the right people, we've got the experts in our team which means we can confidently deliver across our entire portfolio and then prove that with our clients."

Controversial Microsoft Cloud Partner Programme changes - what is Trustmarque's view?

In October, Microsoft revamped its cloud partner programme, scrapping Silver and Gold-level certification badges as well as shaking up how partners are categorised and measured.

It's no secret that the changes have not been welcomed by all in the channel, with some like Technology Associates Limited CEO telling CRN that many partners remain "very unimpressed with the new programme."

While David Tulip, managing director of The Network Group, felt that Microsoft "seems further removed from the coalface than they have ever been."

On what he made of the changes, Williams said: "I think people react to change differently. Some people embrace it immediately and some people struggle with it, and that's okay.

"I think Microsoft were quite clear on the reasons they did it. They said the Gold and Silvers didn't have as much value in the market and they wanted to have partners who didn't just have lots of certified people. They wanted to have partners with lots of certified people and lots of clients.

"It's a certification you can't buy because you can't buy clients. So I think those were Microsoft's reasons, they wanted to have a portfolio approach and so we embraced it.

Given Trustmarque's deep-rooted partnership with the tech giant and this latest round of Microsoft designations, Williams maintained that his company will continue to grow its relationship with other vendors, too.

"We've always been a Microsoft specialist. And we are very proud of our long-term relationship with Microsoft.

"But that doesn't mean we only work with Microsoft. We have a fantastic and growing Cisco practice, for example. And actually we're talking to both Microsoft and Cisco about how we can work as a three-way team."