IVIS Group Attains Gold Certified Partner Status In Microsoft Partner Program

IVIS Group Further Distinguishes Itself by Earning a Microsoft Competency In ISV/Software Solutions - IVIS Group, a leading strategic e-business solutions provider to the retail industry, today announced it has attained Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in ISV/Software Solutions, recognizing IVIS Group's expertise and total impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified partner, IVIS Group has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and 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 in the marketplace.

IVIS Group has been at the forefront of developing leading-edge, strategic e-business solutions for the last 10 years. The company is the powerhouse behind Tesco.com, the world's largest online grocery retailer.

"We are delighted to have attained Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program. This allows us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers," said Qusai Sarraf, Chief Executive, IVIS Group. "The benefits provided through our Gold Certified status will enable us to further enhance the solutions that we provide for customers."

"Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities. They need to trust in someone 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," said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corp. "Today, Microsoft recognizes IVIS Group as a new Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise in providing customer satisfaction with Microsoft products and technology."

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Status, IVIS Group had to declare a Microsoft Competency. 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.

The Microsoft ISV/Software Solutions Competency recognizes the skill and focus partners bring to a particular solution set. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners that have obtained this competency have a successful record of developing and marketing packed software based on Microsoft competencies.

"Solutions Competencies are an important way for Microsoft to better enable ISVs to meet customer needs," said Sanjay Parthasarathy, corporate vice president of the Platform Strategy and Partner Group at Microsoft. "They allow ISVs to keep and win customers with their deep knowledge of solutions-based Microsoft platform technologies. Microsoft has a long history of working closely with ISV partners to help deliver compelling solutions and applications to our mutual customers, and the Solutions Competencies are an important step in continuing to enhance vital relationships with ISVs worldwide."

The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in December 2003 and represents Microsoft's ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners' businesses be successful.

About IVIS Group
IVIS Group has been at the forefront of developing leading edge, strategic e-business solutions for the last 10 years, and is the powerhouse behind Tesco.com, the world's largest online grocery retailer.

With a solid understanding of the Product Information Management issues facing retailers today, IVIS Group provides an innovative mix of enterprise software packages, and training and consultancy services.

The company's flagship Product Information Management solution, Sonetto, is a stand-alone package, providing e-business tools to manage highly complex product information, simply and effectively. As a result, organisations can speed up their time to market, hence accelerating ROI, reduce costs and significantly improve customer satisfaction by delivering highly relevant, categorised product information. Uniquely in this market, Sonetto provides a holistic solution with a process configurable to suit business needs.

IVIS Group is a member of the international standards consortia, W3C and has been a pioneer of XML, .Net and Web Services technologies. IVIS is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and is a winner of a number of international awards.