(Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Charlotte, NC) -- Microsoft Gold Certified Partners represent the highest level of competence and expertise with Microsoft technologies, and have the closest working relationship with Microsoft.

eGroup, Inc., a regionally-acclaimed southeastern US technology leader, today announced it has been honored again with Gold Certified Partner status in the 2009 Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in both Networking Infrastructure Solutions and Advanced Infrastructure Solutions specializations, recognizing eGroup's expertise and impact in the technology marketplace.<!--more-->

As a Gold Certified Partner, eGroup 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 over other Microsoft partners.

"We are extremely pleased to have attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program. This clearly demonstrates our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers," said Mike Carter, Principal Consultant with eGroup. "The benefits provided through our Gold Certified Partner status will allow us to continue to enhance the offerings that we provide for customers."

"Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities," said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corp. "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 eGroup as a Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology."

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, eGroup has to declare Microsoft Competencies. eGroup has a Dual Competency in Advanced Infrastructure Solutions and Networking Infrastructure Solutions. 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.

<strong>Advanced Infrastructure Solutions</strong>

The Advanced Infrastructure Solutions Competency is designed for partners with proven expertise in designing and/or implementing complex infrastructure solutions such as Active Directory®- and Microsoft Host Integration Server-based design and deployment solutions, and Microsoft Exchange Server migration or deployment solutions. Because customers are increasingly asking to do more with less, partners with the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions Competency can identify their unique skill in helping customers access management solutions, improve operational efficiency and reduce security risks. Specializations within the competency are Active Directory and Identity Management, Exchange Migration and Deployment, Hosting Solutions, System Management and Storage Solutions.

<strong>Networking Infrastructure Solutions</strong>

Microsoft Gold Certified Partners enrolled in the Networking Infrastructure Solutions Competency have proven their expertise in implementing technology solutions based on either the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000 Server operating system, with a particular focus on Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 and Windows Small Business Server 2003. These implementations may include crafting solutions that connect Windows-based servers, PC locations and the Internet; installing a server farm; or building a small-business Windows Server stand-alone solution that includes file and print capabilities.

"We place tremendous value on our partners, which help us deliver solutions and applications to customers," said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corp. "Solutions competencies provide an integrated partnering framework that recognizes an enterprise's expertise and rewards it for the effect it has in the technology marketplace. It also allows companies to demonstrate for customers their knowledge of building solutions based on Microsoft technologies, such as setting up networks using Windows Server 2003 R2 and Windows Small Business Server 2003."