Microsoft unveils two of their socially responsible award-winning partners

"We work very hard as a corporation around the world to reduce our environmental impact," said Nick Mayhew, partner strategy group manager at Microsoft as he spoke at the vendors keynote this morning. He then added that the most important area is around technology leadership and innovation.

Microsoft representatives presented on a range of topics but perhaps the strongest message this morning was around the vendor's citizenship efforts.

Microsoft recognised a variety of projects pioneered by their reseller partners including work with organisations such as Breast Cancer Research and Vision Australia.

Although the majority of Partner Awards will be announced at a Gala Event tonight, two awards were given special mention and presented at the keynote address.

Prima Consulting was recognised as the winner of the Australian Environment and Sustainability Solution Partner of the Year Award with Fujitsu Australia and DSC-IT reaching the shortlist.

Prima Consulting's solution provides a tool for businesses to evaluate their sustainability and looks at issues including the environment, carbon emissions, employment practices and compliance.

Robert Riegert, managing director of Prima Consulting, accepted the award with his team and said that having the Microsoft Award will certainly help drive a lot more recognition.

"Ultimately, and this is what we think is the really great thing about what we are doing, is the fact that if you are a sustainable business, or you have sustainable business offerings, it's really good for the environment, for people and it's economically good as well," he said.

The Citizenship Initiative Partner of the Year Award was created to honour partners who have influenced or made a sustained commitment to creating jobs and education opportunities for under-served or remote populations.

Brookstone Technologies were the winners of this category with Satyam Computer Services and Extreme Networks featuring on the shortlist.

More information on the Microsoft Australian Partner Conference will feature in an upcoming issue of CRN.