ICON has attained Gold Certified Partner Status in the Microsoft Partner Program and has further distinguished itself by earning a Microsoft Competency in ISV/Software Solutions and Mobility Solutions.

Gold Certified Partners represent the highest level of competence and expertise with Microsoft technologies, and have the closest working relationship with Microsoft.

"We are extremely pleased to have attained Gold Certified Partner status as this allows us to further our relationship with Microsoft" said Dr. Gege GATT, Director of ICON . "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 technology companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities. They need to trust in a company that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans.

Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft states: "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 ICON as a new Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology."

ICON has further distinguished itself in two competencies:

• ISV/Software Solutions: The ISV/Software Solutions Competency recognizes the skill and focus partners bring to a particular solution set. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners that have obtained this competency have a successful record of developing and marketing packed software based on Microsoft technologies.
  "Solutions competencies are an important way for Microsoft to better enable ISVs to meet customer needs," said Sanjay Parthasarathy, corporate vice president of the Developer & Platform Group at Microsoft. "They allow ISVs to keep and win customers through their deep knowledge of solutions-based Microsoft platform technologies. Microsoft has a long history of working closely with ISV partners to help them deliver compelling solutions and applications to our mutual customers, and the Microsoft Competencies are an important step in continuing to enhance vital relationships with ISVs worldwide."
  
  
• Mobility Solutions: Partners that attain the Mobility Solutions Competency have proven competency in developing and deploying Windows Mobile-based solutions and applications using Microsoft products including Windows Mobile software for Pocket PC and Smartphone, Windows CE, MapPoint, and AutoPC.
  "Solutions competencies such as Mobility Solutions make it easier for partners to position their skills to customers, better align their business with Microsoft's marketing initiatives and form closer relationships with other partners," said John Traynor, director of business and partner marketing at Microsoft Corp. "By ensuring that our partners are proficient in delivering mobile solutions and applications more quickly and easily, we are able to help our partners provide solutions that enable customers to access information on the go, increasing employee productivity and customer response rates while reducing business cycles and, ultimately, costs."

"It is a pleasure to work with companies of high calibre such as ICON ; you are a great asset to Microsoft." - Rima Hatoum, Microsoft Partner Program Manager (East-Med).