Sun shines again on services partners

South Africa-based integrator Dimension Data has won a Sun Microsystems iForce national system provider of the year title.

Dimension Data won the Australian award for iForce system provider Sun partners and best iForce system provider partner titles in Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria.

Paul O'Connor, director of partner sales at Sun in Australia, said partners with a 'solutions focus' had fared 'extremely well' in 2003. 'Customers continue to favour those companies that solve more complex computing challenges,' O'Connor said.

Last year's national winner, Frontline Systems Australia, won New South Wales System Provider of the Year 2003 and a best Sun service associate prize, while
Volante took out best South Australian System Provider prize. Frontline generated the highest number of contracts for Sun Services in the 2003 financial year.

DiData was also named Sun service manager of the year -- for its up-time and in-site service for data centres and network environments -- for the second year running. Sun services include professional, support and educational offerings.

Steve Nola, CEO of DiData Australia, said the integrator hoped to build on its partnership with Sun. 'The relationship is underpinned by a solid foundation of standardised processes, systems and shared intellectual property,' Nola said. Sun service representative MCR won a prize for booking the most support service contracts in the year.