Six Australian partners named global Microsoft finalists

Six Australia-based channel companies are finalists in Microsoft's annual global certified partner awards.

Software vendor Professional Advantage reached the finals for Microsoft's ERP reseller and 'solution developer' of the year awards. Oakton Ltd division Aston IT Group is up for the best integrator package prize.

Brookstone Technologies was shortlisted for best CRM package developer and best .NET packaged application.

Elcom Technology will contend for internet business software of the year. John Anstey, CEO of Elcom, said the company had been recognised mainly for its e-tax package used by the Australian Tax Office.

'Elcom developed ... the security, verification, lodgment, data base, reporting and secure call centre systems. Elcom designed e-tax to be completely scaleable and extensible to handle large volumes of online tax lodgments,' Anstey said.

Unisys reached the final cut for the prize for best infrastructure offering of the year from a Microsoft partner.

Manufacturing processes specialist Camms Profit Impact is in the running for business intelligence offering of the year.

Kerstin Baxter, director of Microsoft's partner group in Australia, said the Australian entries were highly regarded for their level of innovation. Although there was no cash prize, finalists would get a plaque and final winners would get additional Microsoft support. Baxter said the finalists had been chosen for their innovative offerings. 'They've all been doing some wonderful work with customers and technology,' she said.

Australian partners were particularly strong in software development, she said.

About 1050 entries were received. Prizes in fifteen categories altogether will be awarded to certified partners and certified business solution partners.

One finalist was named from each of five regions: Asia/South Pacific, Eastern Europe/Middle East/Africa, Latin America, North America and Western Europe. Winners will be named at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference 2003, from 9 to 11 October in US city New Orleans. Microsoft was flying about 60 Australian channel partners to that event, Baxter added.