Softline Pastel has been awarded the Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Software Partner of the Year by Microsoft.
The annual Microsoft Partner Network Awards cover nearly 30 categories and recognise Microsoft partners that deliver outstanding solutions for their customers. This year’s finalists were chosen from hundreds of entries submitted by partners nationally and an adjudication panel identified the winners based on their use of Microsoft technologies and a number of other criteria.
The ISV category recognises software developers that create stand-alone applications using Microsoft technologies. The judges take into consideration the innovation of the software programmes, how these programmes have grown both the developer’s and Microsoft’s businesses through winning new customers and also the after sales customer experience and overall product satisfaction.
Following a written submission, finalists proceed through a rigorous two-round process, including a panel presentation.
The Pastel submission incorporated a range of programmes including the SME-focused My Business online and desktop offerings and its ERP offering – Evolution – with its municipal billing module and retail point of sale solution.
“Pastel has been using Microsoft products as part of its solution stack for over 20 years but this is the first time we’ve participated in the Microsoft Partner Network Awards,” says Daryl Blundell, sales director at Softline Pastel. “We were not expecting to win against such tough competition in our first year but this award is testament to the strong, cohesive relationship we have with Microsoft.”
“The high standards of entries received for the awards showed that our partners are delivering unmatched innovation and value to customers,” said Mteto Nyati, the managing director of Microsoft SA.
With over 200 000 businesses using Pastel products and Microsoft being core to the company’s product development strategy, Pastel will continue to roll out innovative accounting and business management solutions. Blundell remarks that the 2012 pipeline already has some exciting products for local businesses with an emphasis on cloud applications and that Pastel is working closely with Microsoft to ensure successful product integration on the cloud.
“Accounting in the cloud will not fundamentally change how the core business process is conducted but it will make it easier for businesses to manage their accounting needs,” he says while emphasising that working online is about far more than just accessibility; the cloud will make the lives of users considerably easier which is a key consideration in Microsoft’s judging criteria for this competition.