BigHand Attains Gold Certified Partner Status in Microsoft Partner Program

BigHand, The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track Company specializing in voice productivity, today announced it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in ISV/Software Solutions, recognizing BigHand's expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, BigHand has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and a 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.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) June 21, 2007 -- BigHand, The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track Company specializing in voice productivity, today announced it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in ISV/Software Solutions, recognizing BigHand's expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, BigHand has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and a 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.

BigHand's leading voice productivity application, BigHand3 Digital Dictation, allows a user to dictate directly to a network using a handheld microphone, headset, remote device, PDA, cell phone or via the web. A compressed and encrypted sound file is then transferred instantly to available secretarial support, regardless of whether they are located nationally or globally. The product was nominated as "Best of Breed System of the Year" at the Legal Technology Awards 2007.

Voice is a dynamically evolving group of technologies and one in which we can add-value, and give high-quality alliance partners such as BigHand an edge

Simon Lewis, Chief Technology Officer at BigHand, commented: "BigHand has for many years adhered to Microsoft standards and competencies through our Certified Partner membership, however Gold Partner Certification allows us better insight into future Microsoft developments, protocols and technologies. We were delighted that the user feedback that formed part of the process was completed so quickly and positively by our client base, but it also provided valuable feedback to work on. On an ongoing basis top-level certification means our programmers and technical consultants will now be better equipped to assess and respond to client needs, our software itself will be ready even further in advance of new releases from Microsoft, and our client base will have the reassurance that both our server and client software is Microsoft-tested. The difference in input and cooperation has already been striking."

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, BigHand 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. Within select Competencies, there are Specializations that focus on specific solution areas that recognize deeper expertise within that Competency. Serving as a specialized path to earning those Competencies, Specializations give direct access to the tools and resources that support that specific area of focus. As a specialist in voice applications, BigHand gained an ISV Software Solutions Competency.

"Voice is a dynamically evolving group of technologies and one in which we can add-value, and give high-quality alliance partners such as BigHand an edge," said Norm Thomas, Director of Business development for Microsoft's Professional Services Industry Solutions. "We are delighted that BigHand has earned Gold Partner certification and we expect to work closely with them to help enhance their offering and extend their internal expertise."

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.

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