25 May 2006

A CERTIFIABLE BUSINESS

IT and software development is often considered by the uninitiated to be something of a mystery, an unknown art. Not only can it be difficult for the such companies to differentiate themselves from their competitors it can also be nigh on impossible for their customers to determine, at first glance, who will be best placed to meet their requirements. One way to achieve the necessary differentiation is to apply for a recognised competency which provides formal recognition and support for the business focus. One such scheme is Microsoft certification.

Aberdeen based software solution company, Codify, are members of the Microsoft Partner Programme and have received certification from Microsoft confirming their competence in the area of custom development solutions. Following an extensive approval process Codify is a certified Microsoft partner with a competency in Custom Development Solutions.

Codify is an Aberdeen based software solution company providing a range of companies, including clients in the oil and gas industry, with custom software solutions.

The business benefits of gaining such a competency are numerous. Mark Griffiths, managing director of Codify comments, "We have already started to reap benefits from our involvement in the Microsoft Partner Programme and in particular with the competency element of the programme. The fact that a world wide recognised name has rigorously assessed our service offerings and subsequently awarded us a competency in Customer Development Solutions speaks volumes to both existing and potential customers."

Mark highlights that being involved with such a programme has additional benefits. "As a result of our involvement with the Microsoft Partner Programme we have an advantage in the marketplace and we are easily able to demonstrate that we can add value to our clients. In today's increasingly competitive business world it is vital to be able to differentiate your offering from that of your competitors, the Microsoft Partner Programme is one of the ways in which we achieve that aim."

In order to gain the competency in Customer Development Solutions Codify provided Microsoft with detailed information on their software solutions, the technology that had been used to create them and the target markets benefiting from them.

According to Mark the fact that as they had to provide Microsoft with customer references as part of the competence assessment process only serves to add to the value they can derive from the certification.

"This aspect of the competence assessment process shows that the software has been developed with 'real' customers and not hypothetical simulations. This is something that is extremely valuable to us as when we are talking to potential customers we can easily demonstrate that the solutions we provide to our customers work in the business world."

Mark says, "We provide our clients with custom software solutions; being certified as a Microsoft partner with a competency in Custom Development Solutions is recognition of the level of service and expertise that we provide to our customers. The Custom Development Solutions competency differentiates our software development capabilities and demonstrates, to existing and potential clients, that we provide value added solutions."