Net Direct Systems

Net Direct Systems Further Distinguishes Itself by Earning Microsoft Competencies in Data Management Solutions, Information Worker Solutions, and Networking Infrastructure Solutions, with a Small Business specialization.

APEX, NC, September 24, 2007—Net Direct Systems (NDS) announced today that it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with competencies in Data Management Solutions, Information Worker Solutions, and Networking Infrastructure Solutions, with a Small Business specialization. As a Gold Certified Partner, NDS has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and a proven ability to meet customers’ needs, while meeting the requirements of the Partner Program. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training, and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the channel.

“We are very pleased to have achieved this Gold Certified Partner status,” said Charlie Browning, NDS vice president of professional services. “This will allow us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers, and will provide us with additional tools to help us in our continuing quest to meet our customer’s every need.”

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, NDS had to declare specific areas of Microsoft Competency. Each area of 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. NDS has achieved Gold Certified Partner status in the following three competency areas:

• The Data Management Solutions Competency is designed for Microsoft Certified and Gold Certified Partners that have proven their competency in deploying data warehousing, online analytical processing, data mining, decision support and in-depth reporting solutions. Specializations within the competency are Business Intelligence and Database Management.

• The Information Worker Solutions Competency is intended to provide additional benefit and support to partners specializing in collaboration, portals and other productivity solutions. It is utilized by Gold Certified Partners that provide their customers with solutions built on familiar programs which enable them to better manage, prioritize and collaborate on increasing volumes of information. Partners that have obtained the Information Worker Solutions Competency can help their customers realize increased service revenues and new market opportunities. Specializations within the competency are Enterprise Project Management, Messaging and Collaboration, Office System Desktop Development, and Portals and Enterprise Content Management.

• The Networking Infrastructure Solutions Competency focuses on Microsoft Gold Certified Partners that have proved their expertise in implementing technology solutions based on either the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000 Server operating system, with a particular focus on Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 and Windows Small Business Server 2003. These implementations may include crafting solutions that connect Windows-based servers, PC locations and the Internet; installing a server farm; or building a small-business Windows Server stand-alone solution that includes file and print capabilities.

“The value of solutions competencies is that they enable Microsoft to deliver resources and training to partners meeting their customer needs,” explained Chris Capossela, corporate vice president of the Information Worker Product Management Group at Microsoft Corp. “For partners, the opportunity to highlight their expertise to customers is tremendous in the growing information worker solutions market.”

The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in October 2003. 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.

About NDS

NDS is a woman-owned, small business global IT systems integrator offering innovative, customer-driven solutions and services. NDS designs and implements customized, comprehensive network, security and data center IT solutions together with value-added integration and consulting services for commercial enterprises. The highly skilled solutions experts at NDS collaborate to bring its clients over 160 technical certifications, and large enterprise executive-level project management experience. For more information about NDS, visit www.netdirectsystems.com, or call 919-858-5800.

Contact:
Charlie Browning
513-774-0217
cbrowning@netdirectsystems.com