ONE of Lancashire's most cutting-edge companies has landed a top IT award. Cardium Solutions is the first company in the North West to be granted Microsoft Gold Partner for Enterprise Systems accreditation.
"The award underlines the high level of expertise we can offer our clients," said Michael Carter. "We have invested a lot in training and it has paid off through this award. "It means we will have unrivalled access to Microsoft in terms of support and new product releases.

"This is good news for us and for our clients."

The Rossendale-based company originally gained Microsoft Partner status in 1997. But Enterprise Systems Gold status is only given to companies who have reached a certain level of competence.

In effect, that means having highly qualified staff and a track record of achievement with clients. Cardium had to provide three case studies, which were verified by Microsoft.

Added Michael: "The case studies looked at work we had done for the architect Sir Norman Foster, Iceland Foods and the NHS in Essex. They were three very different projects requiring completely different thinking."

Cardium was established six years ago by Michael and fellow directors John Wilcock and Paul Monaghan.

"We help companies large and small to design, implement and run their IT networks. Our company slogan is 'Making it easy' and that's precisely what we try to do for our clients," said Michael.

Cardium Solutions is also a member of the Digital Industries Lancashire, a consortium of over 60 companies.

Dear Michael,
Cardium Solutions is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, which means that they have demonstrated superior levels of successful implementations, capabilities and certification. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners are required to meet rigorous requirements for certification and expertise. Cardium Solutions has reached the status of Gold Certified Partner for Advanced Infrastructure Solutions by demonstrating increased levels of developer certification, deep real-world experience, and by providing completed customer reference projects that were independently verified by Microsoft.

Through engagement with Microsoft, Microsoft Gold Certified Partners have in-depth access to a variety of exclusive resources and early product information. Resources include priority access to a support team of Microsoft certified systems engineers, non-disclosure evaluation of new products and technologies, as well as planning tools and events to keep up to speed on the latest Microsoft product developments and future direction. 

Cardium Solutions employs Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs); individuals who have passed certification exams designed to validate their mastery using Microsoft tools and technologies. A recent study of Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSEs) and their supervisors by Jack McKillip, Ph.D. at Southern Illinois University, rated MCPs as highly effective workers on the job and IT supervisors rated MCSEs as more competent on all global dimensions as compared to non-certified systems engineers. Be sure to ask for a MCP on your next project. 

This year Microsoft will continue to invest in certification and enhanced resources and support for Microsoft Gold Certified Partners as part of our ongoing commitment to provide customers with choice and best of breed product solutions via Microsoft Gold Certified Partner companies such as Cardium Solutions. 

Sincerely,

Allison Watson
Vice President – Partner Sales and Marketing Group
Microsoft Corporation