Aculab (News - Alert), a provider of enabling technology for the global communications market, has announced that it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft (News - Alert) Partner Program.

This achievement is the result of a competency in OEM Hardware Solutions and recognizes Aculab’s expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, the company has effectively demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and proven ability to meet customers’ needs.

Companies that are considered Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits that include access, training and support, to give them a competitive advantage in the channel.

The ApplianX Gateway (News - Alert) for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 is designed to be an easy-to-deploy, standards-based SIP-to-TDM gateway, which has been specifically designed to allow enterprises to take full advantage of Office Communications Server 2007 in a mixed IP and TDM environment.

This solution can perform all the functions of the ApplianX IP Gateway, while also incorporating into the Microsoft Mediation Server role in a single ApplianX Gateway device. As a result, it can significantly lower the total cost of ownership, as few components are required and also ensures that the audio quality is maintained, regardless of channel count.

The ApplianX is a certified hybrid, indicating that it has undergone a rigorous testing process to ensure optimum performance is gained from the combined gateway and Mediation Serve role.

 

“We have dedicated a great deal of engineering resource to Microsoft Unified Communications (News - Alert), with a view to creating a simple to use but very powerful gateway that can support up to 120 simultaneous calls.  Becoming a MSPP Gold Certified Partner provides recognition of both our efforts and the quality of our product” said Faye McClenahan, Head of Strategic Marketing for Aculab, in a Friday statement.

 

“The ApplianX Gateway for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 is a ‘single purpose device’ specifically designed and targeted at the Office Communications Server 2007 platform and as a hybrid gateway significantly reduces the cost of deploying the system.”

 

“Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities,” said Allison Watson, vice president, Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group, at Microsoft Corp., in Friday’s statement.

 

“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 Aculab as a new Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology,” Watson added.

To achieve Gold Certified Partner status, Aculab had to declare a Microsoft Competency. Such competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner’s capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies.

 

The OEM Hardware Solutions Competency is intended for partners that build and deliver desktop or server hardware systems, as well as those that design and manufacture hardware devices used as computer parts, peripherals or accessories.