Reasons to choose a Microsoft Gold Partner
When shopping for a comprehensive ERP, Tech and/ or Accounting solution, you are likely to spend time evaluating online reviews, assessments, and certifications before committing to a product. It is crucial to find a service provider who knows what they are doing to realise the best return on your investment. But how does a prospective client know that the service provider is knowledgeable and will add invaluable input to the company? Well, in this post, we share the meaning behind Microsoft’s gold partner certifications and the 3 reasons to choose a Microsoft Gold Partner.
It is common nowadays to see a mix of “certifications” and “reseller” logos and badges next to brand names which oftentimes do not mean anything. These can also be acquired by just having the respective vendor pay to use the badge in question. Microsoft certifications, however, are quite stringent and difficult to obtain. When a service provider has a Microsoft certification, you can be sure that they attest to the highest standards and deliver high service levels and input to your company.
What Does it Mean to be Microsoft Gold-Certified?
A Microsoft Gold-Certified partner is a company that has agreed to collaborate and establish a close working relationship with Microsoft. Having this title means the company has earned the highest standards of Microsoft’s widely-recognized partnership program.
“Microsoft Certified Partner (MCP) certification validates IT professional and developer technical expertise through rigorous, industry-proven, and industry-recognized exams. MCP exams cover a wide range of Microsoft products, technologies, and solutions.”
(Source: Microsoft)
Microsoft offers three reliable certifications, formally called “Competencies”, that can tell you a lot about the partner you are considering. The Microsoft Partner, Silver Partner, and Gold Partner assignments demonstrate fluctuating degrees of ability, and they can help you settle on the best choice with regards to picking a tech partner.
Levels of Competency
Microsoft performs an extensive compliance verification of its partners before they can achieve the elite status of being a Gold Certified Partner, or Silver. A partner can be just a partner, or they can be Silver, or Gold certified. According to Microsoft, these Competencies demonstrate “a specific, proven skill set to customers. Because Microsoft competencies are aligned with how customers buy, customers can easily identify a company’s capabilities and expertise” by looking at their competencies. By demonstrating its core capabilities, expertise and skills in a specific area, a company can be eligible to earn either Gold or Silver or in fewer cases a combination of both if the company in question provides solutions across several areas.
| Area | Competency |
| Applications and Infrastructure | – Application Development – App Integration – Cloud Platform – DevOps – Datacentre |
| Business Applications | – Cloud Business Applications – Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) – Project and Portfolio |
| Data and AI | – Data Analytics – Data Platform |
| Modern Workplace and Security | – Collaboration and Content – Communications – Cloud Productivity – Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) – Messaging – Security – Small and Midmarket Cloud Solutions – Windows and Devices |
- Silver Competency indicates that a partner has made a special commitment to a particular business solution and that the partner undergoes a very thorough process for their certification. Those with Silver Competency are amongst the top 5% of Microsoft Partners worldwide.
- Gold Competency represents the highest certification available for Microsoft Partners. A Partner with Gold Competency has a specialized skill set when it comes to implementing a particular tech solution or providing clients with service in a specific area. Only the top 1% of Microsoft Partners worldwide are Gold Certified.
A Microsoft Partner with Silver or Gold Competency must undergo regular audits to demonstrate their proficiency, skillset, and experience. While a Microsoft Silver Certified Partner can be a good decision, the contrast between Silver and Gold is critical. Palladium Accounting’s Gold Partner status is a testament to our level of workmanship and dedication.
3 Reasons to choose a Microsoft Gold Partner
1. Gold Partners Meet High Standards
Gold Certified partners must meet rigorous standards set by Microsoft. One such requirement is to have at least 15 individuals within an organization pass various core value exams before that organization can receive Gold Certification. Plus, five of those 15 must pass additional speciality exams. This process is repeated annually.
There is a stark difference between an organization having a large staff and maintaining a sizeable Microsoft Certified team. If the Partner you choose is a Gold Partner, they will have a “deep bench” of deeply qualified team members.
2. Gold Partners are always up to date.
Microsoft’s solutions are always evolving just as technology is, and so are the competency requirements associated with them. Gold Partners stay on top of these changes. It is highly advisable to choose and work with a Microsoft Partner who is abreast of the latest technologies and innovations to give your business that competitive edge.
3. Gold Partners offer proof of concept.
Microsoft Gold Partners have access to various product licenses, they can test and develop client-specific demos that offer proof of concept. This means that a Gold Partner can offer a client a test drive before going all-in on a solution.
In Conclusion
What does all this mean for your business? You can be certain that a Gold Certified Partner understands what they are doing. A Gold Partner will have various exceptionally qualified staff individuals in-house that can assist you. This means that in the event of staff turnover, your project will not be adversely affected. We trust that you have found some value in our post about the 3 reasons to choose a Microsoft Gold Partner.
Palladium Business Solutions is proud to be a Microsoft Gold-Certified partner.
About Palladium Business Solutions
Palladium is a subsidiary of Kerridge Commercial Business Systems. Palladium Business Solutions has been offering highly affordable Software and Services to businesses throughout Africa since 2001.
Palladium develops and supports solutions that are made with real business needs in mind. This means that our products don’t just record business data they help build and grow your business.
As a Gold Microsoft Partner, our products are all developed using the latest Microsoft technologies in the .Net environment and optimise the MS SQL Server database. Our strength lies in our diversity and ability to adapt systems and processes to suit the precise requirements of our customers’ businesses.
Our comprehensive range of ERP products focus on Increasing Turnover, Improving Margins and Enhancing operational Efficiency. Palladium is MORE than just Accounting Software.
Tel: +27 (0)11 568 2900