DTL Becomes First Microsoft Partner in Asia-Pacific to Achieve Gold Certification in 5 Competencies Auckland-based Designer Technology Limited (DTL) has today been awarded 5 Microsoft Gold Certifications, making it the first Microsoft partner in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve this number of certificates.

DTL has been awarded Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status in 5 competencies to recognise the company's expertise in delivering Network Infrastructure, Advanced Infrastructure, Business Intelligence, Information Worker Productivity and Integrated e-Business solutions. At the same time, DTL has announced the appointment of Layne Skelton as General Manager for DTL. He replaces Jason Westland, who is leaving the company to focus on his start-up venture, www.method123.com. Skelton previously worked for EDS NZ Ltd and brings a proven track record of business growth and improved organisational performance to DTL.

As part of the certification process, DTL has developed Microsoft solutions for Mainfreight, Pumpkin Patch, Retrovision, Marley and Fast Lender Services to help these customers build new IT infrastructures that would add value to the business for years to come. Jason Westland says the Gold Certification process has increased staff expertise and enables DTL to offer an even greater range of services and solutions to customers.

“Certification is an excellent way of staying up-to-date with the latest Microsoft technologies,” said Westland. “As part of the certification process we have worked with local businesses to identify new ways to use IT to help address key business challenges. It has helped our customers to increase operational efficiencies, make better business decisions and increase staff collaboration and productivity. And it is already generating new business opportunities for our company. “I'm delighted to be joining DTL at such a landmark moment in the company's history, and look forward to building on the momentum going forward,” said Layne Skelton, DTL's new General Manager. “Being Gold certified provides our customers with the confidence that our services will be performed at a particularly high standard. And it provides us with a strong competitive advantage. We have created a team of incredibly smart Microsoft specialists - and now we can prove it.”

To earn Gold Certification status in each competency, DTL had to demonstrate that it understood all the Microsoft products to a high standard and had employees certified in using and installing the products. Its staff completed and passed more than 50 qualifying exams, and worked more than 6,000 qualifying service hours. DTL also had to implement the relevant products and competencies at customer sites and provide 15 customer references from 15 qualifying projects. Steve Haddock, Partner Group Manager for Microsoft New Zealand, says the combination of Microsoft technology and services provided by DTL is setting the benchmark for the effective delivery and support of technology platforms that improve the security, reliability and management of customers' IT infrastructures.

“The awarding of 5 Gold Certificates is a reflection of DTL's success in providing its customers with innovative solutions that leverage the proven knowledge and expertise of the DTL team,” said Haddock. “DTL has earned itself an enviable trusted advisor status, allowing its customers to focus on strategic business decisions secure in the knowledge that DTL is there to build and maintain the underlying technology infrastructure. “These awards also reflect Microsoft's commitment to helping local partners,” Haddock continued. “With Gold Certification in 5 competencies, we expect DTL to enjoy further successes as it enjoys the benefits that certification delivers.”

About the Marley NZ Project
Marley New Zealand Limited is one of New Zealand's largest plastic manufacturers and is part of the Aliaxis group of companies. Marley operates a round-the-clock operation and required a greater level of server redundancy and uptime to support the business going forward. DTL implemented an IBM SAN solution on Windows 2003 Advanced Server to cluster Exchange 2003 and File and Print services. Allan Clarke, Financial Director, Marley NZ Ltd, says that Marley has worked with DTL since 1992 to deliver technology solutions to the organisation. “Our partnership with DTL continues to be mutually beneficial,” said Clarke. “Despite being a complex project with short timeframes, DTL had the skill-set and competencies to complete the project successfully, both to deadline and to budget.”

About the RetraVision Project
DTL proposed, designed and implemented a new email infrastructure for RetraVision which was struggling to maintain a system which had become expensive to support, and required lots of hands-on management. The new solution was designed to improve the performance of the mail environment, and simplify the back-up process. The resulting solution was based on Windows Server 2003 Active Directory with Exchange 2003 Enterprise Edition, and has provided RetraVision with a reliable and consolidated infrastructure that is scalable and able to grow with the business.

RetroVision's IT Manager, Robert Taylor, said that DTL has delivered a solution which provides a strong platform for future business growth. “DTL has a high degree of technical competence, strong customer facing skills and the ability to overcome problems to successfully deliver simple and standardised technology solutions. We've been particularly impressed by their ability to take our ideas and enhance them to provide an even better result than initially anticipated.”

About Microsoft Gold Certification
Microsoft Gold Certified Partners are the top level of Microsoft solutions partners and have access to the tools and support they need to help them stand out in the marketplace. At this level, partners build the closest working relationship with Microsoft, and are allocated top-level benefits such as a priority listing in the Microsoft Resource Directory.

About Designer Technology
DTL first became a Microsoft certified partner in 1998.  It achieved its first Gold Certification in late 2003 when it was awarded Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Commerce Solutions.  DTL is an award winning leader in the creation of integrated software and networking solutions. Its Development Team is committed to providing customised solutions to meet the specific business needs of clients, while the Network Services team provides infrastructure design, installation and support. Since its inception in 1994, Designer Technology has experienced rapid growth, quickly earning recognition as one of New Zealand's most innovative and successful IT solution providers.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.

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For more information, press only:
Carol Leishman, Communications Manager, Microsoft New Zealand,
Email: carolle@microsoft.com, Ph: 09-357 5806 or 021 636 607

Carmela Salisbury, Account Director, Text 100 New Zealand
Email: carmela.salisbury@text100.co.nz, Microsoft Press Office line: 09 357 5844

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