Aust reseller in Microsoft inner circle

Business and financial software vendor Professional Advantage has been awarded membership in Microsoft's Inner Circle, for the fifth year in a row.

Business and financial software vendor Professional Advantage has been awarded membership in Microsoft's Inner Circle for the fifth year in a row, and the third consecutive year in both reseller and developer categories.

The Inner Circle is made up of the top one percent of Microsoft Business Solutions partners in the world. Professional Advantage is the only Microsoft business solutions partner to have membership of the Inner Circle in two categories, Professional Advantage said in a statement.

Derek Rippingdale, joint managing director at the Australian software vendor, said the one percent ranking would keep the company committed to Microsoft customers.

'We're thrilled to be a double Inner Circle member for a third year running. It is important to us that we maintain our top ranking,' Rippingdale said.

The company said the Inner Circle recognised partners which consistently achieved high customer satisfaction, product or technological advancement and sales performance.

'We've been within Microsoft Business Solutions Inner Circle for five years, the last three of them in two categories, which proves we are not a one day wonder but a consistent achiever,' Rippingdale said.

Inner Circle membership was the 'highest form of recognition' Microsoft Business Solution reselling and developing partners could achieve, the company said.

In return, Microsoft gave Inner Circle members greater access to its information, technology and executives, Professional Advantage said. 'These days, changes in IT strategy happens big and fast. With any changes, it is important to know as much as possible in advance. Inner Circle gives us exclusive access to senior Microsoft executives and other top global partners,' Rippingale said. 

He said Professional Advantage found the dialogue with Microsoft 'vital'.

'Microsoft is soliciting feedback from top partners and it's great to be part of a process that can influence future direction,' Rippingdale said.

Professional Advantage develops and resells financial and business management applications, such as Microsoft's Great Plains software, to mid-size businesses. The 14-year-old vendor has a total of 200 staff at Fargo in the US, Sydney and Melbourne, with around 600 Australia-based customers.