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Norfolk company retains their Gold Status

P1 Technology Partners has been awarded Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program – recognition of the highest level of expertise in Microsoft technologies. With 25 staff supporting IT users from as far afield as the US, Cyprus and China, Duncan Cardwell, sales director at P1, commented the company submitted more than 40 project case studies to the software giant during the year to earn its Gold Partner status, as well as maintaining a high level of Microsoft Certification across its consultants and technicians “When people think of IT, they often think of the equipment and machinery, but we’re a people business and that’s what this award is mostly about,”He added “It’s about knowledge, experience and track record, and we’ve proved over a sustained period that we can meet our customer’s needs and find the right technology to enhance their businesses.” Mr Cardwell, who helped set up the company in 2003, said that expert advice is more important than ever thanks to the rapid pace of change in the IT industry. “With increased remote and home working, email to mobiles and ever more security risks, successfully integrating technology into business is increasingly complex,” he added. “We’re extremely proud of maintaining the high standards we’ve set ourselves since we first gained this accreditation in 2005, and our clients will reap the benefits of our close links with Microsoft.” Joanne Somerton, IT manager at Fakenham-based PMC Harvesters, has worked with P1 since the company began, in areas including server restructuring and network security. “Their expertise and knowledge has proved invaluable over the years, particularly in areas which stretch our in-house capability,” she said. “They have always been able to resolve any issues we’ve had over the years and we’re very confident that will continue.” The Microsoft Gold certification provides P1 Technology Partners with access to training and support to help stay up to date with new technologies, as well as continuing close links with the company. There are currently only three other Gold Certified Partners in Norfolk and P1 Technology Partners has achieved the highest level of attainment of them all with a record number of individual Competency Awards and number of positive client references. The Microsoft Partner Program was launched as a worldwide program in December 2003 to recognise partner expertise and reward the impact that firms have in the IT technology marketplace. Karl Noakes, Director of the Partner Development Group at Microsoft, said: “As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, P1 Technology Partners is among the elite of the Microsoft partner community. Our Gold partners are highly equipped to deliver business-driven technology solutions to their customers and are highly valued by Microsoft.”