Magstar Earns Certified Microsoft Partner Status
Toronto, February 2, 2006 – Magstar Inc., today announced it has earned certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program, which recognizes Magstar’s expertise and impact in the retail technology marketplace. As a Certified Partner, Magstar has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft-based technologies and ability to meet customer needs. Microsoft Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support.
Founded in 1985, Magstar develops and provides fully-integrated, enterprise-wide retail management software with related professional services to small to mid-sized hard-line, soft-line and specialty operations throughout the USA, Canada and the Caribbean Basin. For the sixth consecutive year, retailers have selected Magstar as a Top 20 retail software vendor in the 2010 RIS News Leaderboard vendor performance survey.
“Only companies that have demonstrated high levels of customer service, proved their experience and attained advanced certification receive the designation of Microsoft Certified Partner,” said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corporation. “Today, Microsoft recognizes Magstar for its skills and expertise in providing customer satisfaction with Microsoft software and technology.”
In addition to earning certified status, Magstar has declared a Microsoft Competency in ISV/Software Solutions. Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a technology partner’s capabilities with specific Microsoft-based 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 technology partners bring to the technology industry.
“Microsoft Competencies enable Microsoft to provide additional resources and training to technology partners. The competencies help differentiate Microsoft technology partners’ capabilities with Microsoft-based technologies and each competency has its own requirements to reflect the skills required to bring services to customers,” said Lora Gernon, Director of Partner Sales, Microsoft Canada Co. “We are pleased that Magstar has obtained ISV Software Solution Competency, as each competency gained by a Microsoft technology partner shows dedication and experience with a specific solution area and provide industry partners with a way to showcase their demonstrated expertise to customers.”
The Microsoft ISV/Software Solutions Competency recognizes the skill and focus that technology partners bring to a particular solution set. Microsoft Certified Partners that have obtained this competency have a record of developing and marketing packaged software based on Microsoft-based technologies.
“We are extremely pleased to have earned certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program. The certified status helps us to promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers,” said Magstar’s Director of Marketing. “The benefits provided through our certified membership will allow us to continue to enhance the offerings that we provide to our customers.
Magstar’s new Total Retail KPI (Key Performance Indicator) Dashboard uses Microsoft SQL Server™ 2005 and Windows SharePoint Team Services to enable chainwide business intelligence for strategic decision-making. Retailers can optimize business performance with drill-down analysis and reporting of daily sales and traffic, merchandise sales/margins, operations productivity, item/style performance, vendor performance, planning, open to buy, customer sales and profit margin.”
About the Microsoft Partner Program
The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in December 2003 and represents Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to the success of technology partners worldwide. The Microsoft Partner Program offers a single, integrated framework that recognizes technology partner expertise, rewards the total impact technology partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help technology partners’ businesses be successful.
