Avanade Named 2010 Microsoft Dynamics Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Solution Partner of the Year


SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - July 26, 2010) - Avanade, a business technology services provider, was recognized by Microsoft as the 2010 Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner of the Year.

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner of the Year Award recognizes partners who exhibit excellence in providing innovative and unique solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Avanade -- founded in 2000 by Microsoft and Accenture -- uses Microsoft Dynamics CRM as a platform upon which to build specific, tailored applications that track information and processes related to real-world entities. With xCRM (Extended CRM), clients can improve the effectiveness of customer interaction, match employees' talents to tasks they need to accomplish, plan work schedules and workflows for maximum productivity, track project status and create self-service Web portals.

"Avanade was named the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner of Year based on its market success, with strong increases in new customers and revenue," said Brad Wilson, general manager, Microsoft Dynamics CRM. "Avanade consistently delivers solutions and services that help companies achieve significant business benefits from their Dynamics CRM investments. We look forward to continuing to work with Avanade to provide innovative solutions for our customers and to expand our global market presence."

"Microsoft is proud to recognize Avanade as the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner of the Year for helping their clients think beyond traditional CRM to expand into additional business opportunities," said Doug Kennedy, vice president, Dynamics Partners, Microsoft Corp. "Avanade has helped customers recognize the positive impact CRM solutions have had across their businesses and, thus, have created enthusiastic advocates of the service."

"Avanade is deeply committed to the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform and helping organizations achieve powerful business results through innovative solutions," said Mark Barrett, senior vice president, CRM, Americas, Avanade. "Avanade is thrilled to be recognized by Microsoft for its unique CRM strengths, capabilities and growth. As the global services leader for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, we seek to accelerate the adoption of Microsoft CRM in the market."

Avanade also was recognized by Microsoft for its Avanade Federal Task Management Tool (TMT), which has been developed and implemented with more than 20 commands in the U.S. Department of Defense to manage the flow of thousands of simple tasks or complex projects that the Department's more than 55,000 users must complete each week. More specifically, the tool provides:

  • Insightful visibility into the status of existing tasks at all levels, thus encouraging accountability and collaboration.
  • The ability for personnel at all levels to coordinate and complete vital tasks regardless of the number of project stakeholders.
  • A framework for creating, tracking, answering and managing a wide range of tasks, significantly improving workflow efficiency. A streamlined, collaborative approach to task management that increases productivity.

"The unique benefits found in the partnership between Avanade, Accenture and Microsoft are most notable in the results we help deliver for clients every day," said Sajid Usman, global lead for Process and Information Management, Accenture Technology Consulting." Awarding Avanade's CRM practice, the CRM Partner of the Year Award further validates the impact that Avanade's global team of Microsoft experts is having with organizations across many industries."

Over the past decade, Accenture and Avanade have collaborated on more than 5,100 Microsoft projects and developed more than 100 industry-specific and cross-industry solutions. Together, Accenture and Avanade have more than 50,000 Microsoft-skilled staff worldwide -- more than any other partner. Avanade consultants hold more than 13,000 Microsoft certifications, the largest number of certifications per employee of any service provider.

Microsoft presented the award to Avanade at this year's Worldwide Partner Conference, July 11 through 17, to showcase partner solutions in each key Microsoft technology area, including virtualization and collaboration, as well as the newly-added Microsoft Country Partner of the Year Award. Winners and finalists demonstrate significant customer impact, solution innovation, speed to market, deployment, and utilization of advanced features in Microsoft technologies over the past year. Avanade is now the leading dedicated provider of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Services, following the acquisition of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM assets of Ascentium Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Ascentium Federal, Inc., in May.

About Avanade
Avanade provides business technology services that connect insight, innovation and expertise in Microsoft technologies to help customers realize results. Avanade's services and solutions help improve performance, productivity and sales for organizations in all industries. The company applies Microsoft expertise from its global network of consultants, drawing on the right mix of onshore, offshore and nearshore skills, which together are designed to help deliver results faster, at lower cost and with less risk. Avanade, which is majority owned by Accenture, was founded in 2000 by Accenture and Microsoft Corporation and serves customers in more than 24 countries worldwide with more than 10,000 professionals. Additional information can be found at www.avanade.com.

Avanade and the Avanade logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Avanade Inc. Other product, service, or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. ®2010 Avanade Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Charlie Zaragoza
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