Burwood Group, Inc. Attains Gold Certified Partner Status In Microsoft Partner Program; Burwood Group Further Distinguishes Itself by Earning a Microsoft Competency Advanced Infrastructure Solutions and Information Worker Solutions.

CHICAGO -- Burwood Group, Inc., today announced it has attained Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in Advanced Infrastructure Solutions and Information Worker Solutions, recognizing Burwood's expertise and total impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified partner, Burwood 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.

"We are extremely pleased 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 Mark Theoharous, President, Burwood Group. "The benefits provided through our Gold Certified status will allow us to continue to enhance the offerings that we provide for clients."

"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 Burwood 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, Burwood Group had to qualify for Microsoft Competencies. 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 Advanced Infrastructure Solutions Competency is designed for partners with proven expertise in designing and/or implementing complex infrastructure solutions such as Active Directory(R)-based and Microsoft Identity Integration Server (MIIS) design and deployment solutions, or Microsoft Exchange Server migration or deployment solutions. Because customers are increasingly asking to do more with less, partners with the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions Competency can identify their unique skill in helping customers access management solutions, improving operational efficiency and reducing security risks

"Our industry partners allow us to deliver high-quality solutions and applications to our customers. And we're always looking at ways to improve our relationships," said Paul Flessner, senior vice president of the Server Platform Division at Microsoft. "Solutions Competencies enable Microsoft to provide resources and training to partners seeking to meet, and even surpass, customer needs. The competencies also provide industry partners with a way to showcase their expertise to customers who depend on them for services, such as building their critical infrastructure needs such as storage and hosting solutions."

Designed to provide additional benefit and support to partners specializing in collaboration, portals and other productivity solutions, the Information Worker Productivity Solutions Competency is utilized by Gold Certified Partners that provide their customers with solutions built on familiar programs that enable them to better manage, prioritize and collaborate on increasing volumes of information. Partners that have obtained the Information Worker Competency can help their customers realize increased service revenues and new market opportunities.

"Partners play a critical role in delivering solutions and applications to customers with the Microsoft Office System," said Jeff Raikes, group vice president of Productivity and Business Services at Microsoft. "The value of Solutions Competencies is that they enable Microsoft to deliver resources and training to partners that are meeting their customer needs. And for partners, the opportunity to highlight their expertise to customers is tremendous in the growing IW solution market."

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.

Burwood Group was incorporated in September 1997 and is headquartered in downtown Chicago, IL, with regional offices in Bloomington, IL, Silicon Valley, CA, St. Louis, MO, and the Quad Cities. The company has more than 60 employees between the five offices listed and specializes in wireless, security, IPT and core infrastructure. Burwood Group is the infrastructure solutions provider that delivers business-aligned, end-to-end solutions to organizations whose success depends on information technology.