CORE Print Solutions Attains Gold Certified Partner Status in Microsoft Partner Program

CORE Print Solutions Further Distinguishes Itself by Earning Microsoft Competencies in Information Worker Solutions and Networking Infrastructure Solutions

McHenry, IL USA — November 21, 2007 -CORE Print Solutions, an MAGETEC Company, which is Chicago land’s #1 Independent Provider of digital office equipment and software solutions, today announced it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with competencies in Information Worker Solutions and Networking Infrastructure Solutions, recognizing CORE's expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, CORE/IMAGETEC has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and proven ability to meet customers’ needs. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the channel.

CORE is an independent office solutions dealer that specializes in providing businesses with digital hardware and service.  They also have a wide variety of software solutions to help businesses manage their documents and workflow seamlessly.

“We are extremely pleased to have attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program. This allows us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers,” said Richard Cucco, President. “The benefits provided through our Gold Certified Partner status will allow us to continue to enhance the offerings that we provide for customers.”

“Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities,” said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corp. “They need to trust in a company that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, which have certified expertise and direct training and support from Microsoft, can build a positive customer experience with our technologies. Today, Microsoft recognizes CORE/IMAGETEC as a new Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology.”

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, CORE/IMAGETEC had to declare two Microsoft Competencies. Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner’s capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution. Each 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.

Designed to provide additional benefit and support to partners specializing in collaboration, portals and other productivity solutions, the Information Worker Solutions Competency 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.

 “Partners play a critical role in delivering solutions and applications to customers with the Microsoft Office system,” said Chris Capossela, corporate vice president of the Information Worker Product Management Group at Microsoft Corp. “The value of solutions competencies is that they enable Microsoft to deliver resources and training to partners meeting their customer needs. And 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 and represents Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. 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.