CBORD Attains Gold Certified Partner Status in Microsoft Partner Program for Second Year

For Immediate Release

June 20, 2007

Ithaca, New York—The CBORD Group, Inc., today announced it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program for a second year with competencies in Mobility Solutions, Data Management Solutions, and Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Software Solutions, recognizing CBORD’s expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, CBORD^® 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.

CBORD is the world’s leading supplier of food service software, nutrition service software, campus-wide ID card programs, cashless dining, and housing management systems. The use of Microsoft technologies, such as the Microsoft .NET Framework and Microsoft SQL Server 2005, make it possible to deliver reliable, state-of-the-art products such as NetMenu^®, NetCatering^®, and NetNutrition^®.

“Achieving Gold Certified Partner status for a second time speaks highly to the level of talent and expertise demonstrated by CBORD professionals,” said Randy Eckels, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at CBORD. “With comprehensive knowledge of cutting-edge Microsoft technologies, CBORD is primed to deliver top-notch technical service to our customers.”

“Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities,” said Tom Litchford, industry solutions director for Microsoft’s U.S. Retail and Hospitality Group. “They need to trust in a company that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, which have certified expertise and direct training and support from Microsoft, can build a positive customer experience with our technologies. Today, Microsoft recognizes CBORD for demonstrating its continued expertise in providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology.”

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, CBORD had to declare at least one 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.

• Mobility Solutions. Partners that attain the Mobility Solutions Competency have proven competency in developing and deploying Windows Mobile-based solutions and applications using Microsoft products including Windows Mobile software for Pocket PC and Smartphone.
• Data Management Solutions. The Data Management Solutions Competency is designed for Microsoft Certified and Gold Certified Partners that have proved their competency in deploying data warehousing, online analytical processing, data mining, decision support, and in-depth reporting solutions.
• ISV/Software Solutions. The ISV/Software Solutions Competency recognizes the skill and focus partners bring to a particular solution set. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners that have obtained this competency have a successful record of developing and marketing packed software based on Microsoft technologies.

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.

About The CBORD Group, Inc.

The CBORD Group serves healthcare facilities, colleges and universities, corporations, chain restaurants, supermarkets, and a host of other market segments. CBORD’s products are used in food services, catering, nutrition services, online ordering, meal plans, campus ID card privilege control, access control, electronic security, housing services, and other institution-wide activities. The CBORD Group serves more than 5,000 clients in the U.S., Canada, Europe, South Africa, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Australia.

The CBORD Group was founded in 1975. Today it employs more than 475 professionals. To learn more about CBORD, visit us at www.cbord.com.

 

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